CCMIN010703 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mr. Brozosky asked if what Mr. Knowles was saying is that for a 25 mph limit, it has to be local street or supported by data. It cannot be a local street and posted for 30 mph. Mr. Knowles said that is correct. If the local jurisdiction finds that 25 is unreasonable, then a study needs to be done in order to establish a higher speed limit based on this survey. For a speed limit to be a valid, it has to be backed up by a survey, but we don't have to survey a street that is a local street. Mr. Pico asked if this is the segment where the speed limit is actually 35 right now, but it has been posted at 30 mph. Your recommendation is to have it at 35, which is actually no recommendation other than to leave it where it exists in the ordinance today. Ms. Ayala indicated the residents actually live in this area and observes the traffic. They understand when the speed limit doesn't make sense. Mr. Pico said it does not make sense to set the speed limit significantly lower than what people are traveling. Mr. Knowles said whether the people are in their cars or in their front yards, we are talking about the same people driving. The law is written to protect the residents by allowing us to establish reasonable speed limits and also to protect the residents when they become motorists from having to drive unreasonably low speeds. It always seems like it is the other guy, but these are primarily Pleasanton residents and motorists that are on these local streets. Ms. Ayala stated the reality of all of these areas is that there are not enough police officers to enable the City to enforce every section of town. If we know people are going 42 mph according to the chart, then the City could be giving tickets there today. There are not enough police officers to sit at every comer where people are going too fast. Ms. McKeehan replied that where there are complaints and ongoing concerns in certain neighborhoods, the City does "selective" enforcement. The police will focus on an area for a time where there is an issue and try to re-educate the drivers and try to change their behavior. The police then move on to another location in the City. We cannot be everywhere. Mr. Brozosky asked if the Police Department gets a call from a neighborhood indicating motorists driving too fast, does the Depathnent then try to get officers out there at those times the neighbors say people are driving too fast? Captain Fraser said if the Department receives calls from a neighborhood that cars are traveling too fast and are in violation of the speed limit, the police will send officers out depending on the appropriate staffing levels available to accommodate that request, as well as calls for service. We do send people out provided there is staff available. Ms. Ayala is correct in stating the City cannot put an officer at every intersection. The speed limit will be enforced, but an officer cannot be there every day. Pleasanton City Council 12 01/07/03 Minutes