Council hears update on automated speed-enforcement cameras and Municipal Traffic Code rewrite

Monte Vista police and staff presented information about an automated speed-enforcement camera program and a draft Municipal Traffic Code (MTC) update.

Interim Chief Tyler Hartford described a phased camera approach: an initial handheld camera operated by an officer, with later transition to pole-mounted cameras. Hartford said citations would be civil infractions mailed to the registered owner; the standard fine discussed was $40 for most violations and $80 for school or construction zones. Hartford said camera-issued citations would not assess driver license points or affect insurance because they would be civil infractions, not criminal or point-bearing traffic offenses.

City Attorney and staff discussed concurrently revising the Municipal Traffic Code to consolidate local traffic infractions and offenses and to add provisions not currently present, such as clarifying license/registration citation authority and updating signage inventories. The city attorney said staff plans to submit the draft MTC to CDOT (and possibly the Attorney General) for review before proceeding with ordinance hearings; CDOT recommended pre-review to avoid ordinance adoption delays.

Council did not vote on an ordinance; staff sought direction to continue work on the code, camera ordinance language, contract for a vendor and the sign inventory required for enforcement. Council asked procedural questions (for example, whether the camera program addresses slow vehicles that impede traffic) and staff said the initial program focuses on speeding violations and would be refined as the ordinance and vendor contract are developed.

City attorney indicated the MTC rewrite would distinguish between traffic infractions (largely lower-level non-appearance citations) and traffic offenses (more serious violations that typically require court appearance) and would include an inventory of city traffic signs to support enforcement.