Number
180817
Version
SUBTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. BAUMAN, JOHNSON
Title
Substitute resolution directing the Department of Public Works to develop a protocol for the installation of solar-powered speed boards as traffic-calming installations under s. 115-42.5 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Department of Public Works to develop a protocol for the installation of solar-powered speed boards as traffic-calming installations under s. 115-42.5 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances. As part of developing this protocol, the Department shall identify a preferred solar-powered speed board design, as well as a preferred vendor and an approximate price for a speed board with that design, and shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to Common Council’s Public Improvements Committee within 60 days of adoption of this resolution.
Body
Whereas, Milwaukee residents all across the city face serious, pervasive and growing problems of speeding and reckless driving; and
Whereas, Speeding and reckless driving daily threaten the public health, safety and peaceful enjoyment of Milwaukee neighborhoods; and
Whereas, Section 115-42.5 of the Code of Ordinances sets forth a process by which Milwaukee property owners may initiate the public works process for the construction or placement of traffic-calming installations that may help promote the public health, safety and peaceful enjoyment of their neighborhoods; and
Whereas, Examples of traffic-calming installations include speed humps, speed tables, bump-outs, chicanes and traffic circles; and
Whereas, A “speed board” is a sign posted along the side of a street, facing oncoming traffic, that has a changeable display area showing the speeds of passing vehicles; and
Whereas, Since a speed board may cause passing motorists to think about their driving speeds, and to reduce them if appropriate, it should be considered a type of traffic-calming installation; and
Whereas, Milwaukee residents have expressed a desire to have speed boards installed on their streets; and
Whereas, Unlike other types of traffic-calming installations, which are only allowed on local streets, speed boards may be installed on collector or arterials streets, many of which have residents who are confronted by serious issues of speeding and reckless driving; and
Whereas, A speed board powered by an attached or integrated solar panel would be a self-contained device requiring little to no interruption or connection to existing infrastructure, or ongoing operating or maintenance costs; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of Public Works is directed to develop a protocol for the installation of solar-powered speed boards as traffic-calming installations under s. 115-42.5 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances; and, be it
Further Resolved, That, as part of developing this protocol, the Department of Public Works shall identify a preferred solar-powered speed board design, as well as a preferred vendor and an approximate price for a speed board with that design; and, be it
Further Resolved, That solar-powered speed boards shall be permitted as traffic-calming installations on all types of streets, including collector and arterial streets; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of Public Works shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations with respect to the protocol for installation of solar-powered speed boards to Common Council’s Public Improvements Committee within 60 days of adoption of this resolution.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB171991-2
Jeff Osterman
09/07/2018