Title
Ordinance - Third and Final Reading of an Ordinance Changing the School Zone Times From Specific Times to “When Flashing” For All School Zones with Flashers and Establishing a School Zone on Cutting Horse Drive
Requested Action
Adoption of the Ordinance
Recommendation
Approval of the “When Flashing” for the school zone times and establishing a school zone on Cutting Horse Drive
Description/History
The Speed Limit Ordinance includes school zone locations and effective times. Every summer the Public Works Department coordinates with the Mansfield Independent School District Police Department on school zone locations and times to determine if existing zones and times are still valid and if new school zones are needed. If time changes are needed to the school flashers the speed limit ordinance is updated to reflect the new flasher times. This process must begin at least 2 months prior to start of school to provide for adequate time for 3 readings of the ordinance.
The specific school zone times listed in the ordinance does not account for early dismissal days that change every year. In addition every year there are changes in the crossing guard schedules that are not communicated to the City while the ordinance revisions are being processed.
The current ordinance does list the school flasher time for locations along State roadways as “When Flashing” as this was required by TxDOT for flasher on State roadways.
In addition MISD police department has requested a school zone be established on Cutting Horse Drive behind Annette Perry Elementary School to encompass the school frontage.
Justification
To allow flexibility and the ability to expedite school flasher time changes as requested through MISD or the City police department, Staff is requesting to change the ordinance to list school flasher times to “When Flashing” for all locations with school flashers in lieu of the current specific times listed. The locations that contain signage only (residential streets) will continue to be listed in the ordinance with specific times. The establishment of new school zones will still require approval of an ordinance.
The former Staff Attorney/Chief Prosecutor supported this change and believed it aided in prosecution of offenders.
With the residential development that has occurred east and south of Annette Perry Elementary School many students are walking along Cutting Horse Drive. Once a school zone is established the school district will place a crossing guard along Cutting Horse Drive to safely cross the students
The Public Works Director will be in attendance at the meeting to answer Council’s questions.
Funding Source
N/A
Prepared By
David Boski, P.E., Transportation Engineer, Public Works Department
817-276-4208