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Committee advances ordinance to tweak traffic-control area rules after Gardenia pilot reduced speeds
Summary
The Public Services Committee recommended approval on second reading of changes to municipal code section 10.24.019 to clarify administration, add an effective-date declaration, extend the notification window from 14 to 30 days and add prosecutorial discretion and a seatbelt discount linked to state law.
The Cheyenne Public Services Committee advanced amendments to municipal code section 10.24.019 governing critical traffic control areas, saying administrative fixes are needed after a successful pilot in the Gardenia neighborhood.
Mayor Patrick Collins told the committee the pilot on Gardenia produced lower speeds — "a few weeks later, the 80 fifth percentile of speeds were still under 29 under 30 miles an hour" — and showed the program works. Collins said the committee learned the ordinance needed changes so the effective date could be set later to allow signage and officer overtime shifts to be arranged, and to provide prosecutors a clearer record if fines are challenged.
The ordinance changes include: a required form to be filed with the city clerk that documents remedial steps and an explicit effective date so the 14-day clock aligns with sign installation and officer scheduling; expanding the current 14-day window to 30 days; incorporation of a $10 seat-belt discount as required by state law (citation given in the meeting as "31 5 14 o 2 e"); and giving prosecutors discretion to offer defensive-driving referrals for drivers with clean records.
Committee members praised police and prosecutors for the program. Mayor Collins estimated overtime for the Gardenia effort was "less than $10,000. It was, like, $5.06, $7,000" and said officers were present morning and afternoon. Tom Cupp, city engineer, told the committee the neighborhood petition form is available on the city website. A committee member moved and seconded approval on second reading; the committee voted in favor and will recommend approval to City Council at the next meeting.
The changes are intended to make enforcement more administrable and defensible in court and to reduce confusion about when enhanced penalties take effect.
