NOTICE OF PENDING COUNCIL DECISION
Posted by City Hall on Jun 18, 2020
Consideration of an Ordinance of the City of Vernonia Reducing the Speed Limit on Selected Non-Arterial Streets
When: You are invited to attend and comment at the City Council meeting on Monday, July 6, 2020 at 7:00 pm.
Where: Council Chambers, City Hall, 1001 Bridge Street Vernonia, OR 97064
Why: The Vernonia City Council is interested in hearing from citizens who are interested in expressing their opinion on the Ordinance.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Vernonia City Council will deliberate the adoption of Ordinance 923: An Ordinance of the City of Vernonia reducing the speed limit on selected non-arterial streets.
This Public Notice will also be onsite at City Hall and on www.vernonia-or.gov
The proposed wording of Ordinance 923:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF VERNONIA REDUCING THE SPEED LIMIT ON SELECTED NON-ARTERIAL STREETS
WHEREAS, Oregon Senate Bill 558 amended ORS 810.180, regarding a city’s authority to regulate speed limits;
WHEREAS, the amended ORS 810.180 provides that “[a] city may establish by ordinance a designated speed for a highway under the jurisdiction of the city that is five miles per hour lower than the statutory speed” limit if the highway is located in a residential district, the highway is a non-arterial highway, and adequate signage is posted (ORS 810.180(11));
WHEREAS,according to the 2011 American Automobile Association study Impact Speed and a Pedestrian’s Risk of Severe Injury or Death, a pedestrian hit by a driver at 25 miles per hour is nearly twice as likely to die compared to a pedestrian hit at 20 miles per hour; and
WHEREAS,the City Council recognizes that a reduction in speed from 25 miles per hour to 20 miles per hour on non-arterial residential streets can save lives;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF VERNONIA ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1.Speed Limit Designated.The City hereby establishes that the speed limit on selected non-arterial streets that are located in a residence district, currently designated as 25 miles per hour, and subject to the City’s jurisdiction, shall be 20 miles per hour. This provision shall immediately apply to Missouri Avenue; however, the City Council may designate additional streets that are reduced from 25 miles per hour to 20 miles per hour by resolution of the Council.
Section 2. Procedure. A designation by the Council, either by this Ordinance or by resolution, that a street is reduced from 25 miles per hour to 20 miles per hour shall take effect when the City posts a sign giving notice of the designated speed at each end of the portion of highway where the designated speed is imposed and at such other places on the highway as may be necessary to inform the public.
Section 3. Severability. Should any section or portion of this Ordinance be held unlawful and unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall apply only to the specific section, or portion thereof, directly specified in the decision. All other sections or portions of this Ordinance shall remain in full force and effect. The City Council of the City of Vernonia declares that it would have passed each phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more such provisions be declared unlawful and unenforceable.
Section 4. Effective Date: Under the provisions of the City of Vernonia Charter of 1998, Chapter VIII, Section 32, the provisions of this ordinance shall become effective on the thirtieth (30th) day after its adoption and authentication.
Section 5. Recorder’s Duties: The City Recorder is hereby directed, upon its adoption and authentication, to number this Ordinance as the next adopted Ordinance of the City of Vernonia.
