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Council delays uniform traffic code vote, schedules Aug. 11 work study and Sept. 8 decision
Summary
Councilors discussed a proposed uniform traffic ordinance and a penalty-assessment schedule; attorneys flagged statutory limits (generally $500 and/or 90 days jail maximum for municipal infractions). Council set a work study for Aug. 11 and postponed final action to the Sept. 8 meeting to allow review and redlining.
Council spent significant time reviewing a proposed new uniform traffic ordinance and an associated penalty assessment schedule. Village counsel noted that municipal penalties are limited by state statute and cited a general maximum penalty of $500 and/or 90 days in jail for most municipal infractions, raising concerns that some model uniform language in the draft improperly elevated certain violations beyond municipal authority.
The attorney said the draft contained sections inconsistent with municipal power (for example, language implying felony-level penalties) and recommended either amending that language or deleting it to avoid conflict with state law. "I think the maximum is $500 or 90 days in jail or both," the attorney advised, explaining the legal constraints staff must follow when drafting municipal penalty schedules.
Councilors agreed to postpone final action on the ordinance to Sept. 8, 2026, and scheduled a work study session for Aug. 11 at 6:30 p.m. Staff and councilors were asked to submit proposed redlines and comments to the village's drafter (Ken/Randy team) by Aug. 3 to allow staff to post the revised packet in advance of the work study. The council asked staff to produce a redlined comparison and to circulate the state penalty-assessment schedule for reference.
