Webster City council waives third readings and adopts two ordinance amendments on signage and engine brake noise

The Webster City Council waived third readings and adopted two separate amendments to the city code during the meeting.

On the first ordinance, the council considered a proposed amendment to the Code of Ordinances (transcript reference: Chapter 46, Article 5, Division 1, Section 46-207) that staff said was routine cleanup to make posted signage consistent with the written code. Staff said signs had been posted and the code text needs to be corrected; the council voted to waive the third reading and then passed and adopted the amendment by voice vote.

On the second ordinance, the council took up an amendment to Chapter 46, Article 1, Division 1, Section 46-150 to prohibit engine brakes and compression brakes on specified roadways after a traffic committee discussion and a resident complaint about excessive noise. Staff said the Iowa Department of Transportation agreed to install signs on DOT right-of-way and the city would purchase the remaining signs and posts. Staff emphasized that enforcement would occur when police officers observed violations during routine patrols rather than through continuous dedicated checks.

Staff described the change as a response to resident concerns about loud 'Jake brake' use and said the city already had the posts and would need to buy signs; council moved to waive the third reading and then voted to pass and adopt the ordinance.

Both code amendments were presented as routine, noncontroversial items and were adopted after staff explanation and brief council discussion. The council did not record individual roll-call tallies in the transcript.