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Council adopts 2025 Uniform Public Offense Code and Standard Traffic Ordinance
Summary
Merriam City Council waived first readings and adopted the 2025 Uniform Public Offense Code and the 2025 Standard Traffic Ordinance, bringing local code into alignment with recent state statutory changes effective July 1.
MERRIAM, Kan.
The Merriam City Council on Wednesday adopted two statewide code updates: the 2025 Uniform Public Offense Code (UPOC) and the 2025 Standard Traffic Ordinance (STO). The council waived customary first readings and approved ordinances adopting the UPOC (Ordinance No. 1892) and the STO (Ordinance No. 1891) by unanimous votes.
Chief McLaughlin introduced the UPOC changes and told the council the League of Kansas Municipalities consolidated misdemeanor state statutes for local adoption; the only substantive state change affecting Merriam this year added definitions for critical-infrastructure facilities to include radio antennas, towers and small-cell facilities. The council removed nothing from the UPOC other than previously redundant city provisions where the local code already addresses the topic, and staff recommended aligning with state language that went into effect on July 1.
On the STO, staff described small wording updates and a new section addressing stationary vehicles displaying hazard or caution signals (a move-over-style provision that went into effect July 1). Chief McLaughlin said the ordinance clarifies that parked vehicles displaying hazard or caution devices should be given consideration by motorists and that enforcement will rely on officers— judgment about whether drivers slowed appropriately.
Council members moved to waive first readings and adopt each ordinance; each motion passed 8-0. The council indicated the ordinances were adopted to keep local enforcement consistent with state law.
Why it matters: adopting the UPOC and STO lets Merriam enforce updated misdemeanor and traffic provisions without waiting for the state to take separate local action. Staff recommended the expedited procedure because many changes are already effective under state statute.
