09.15.20 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes September 15, 2020 Council Member Baker suggested reducing the speed limit in the area to 20 mph to discourage people from driving through the area. Council Member Baker asked how does an officer determine if someone is going 20 mph versus 25 or 30 mph. Chief Klett stated it is easier to visualize people speeding so it will easier for enforcement with the reduction of the speed limit. Mayor Hughson asked if citizens have submitted petitions in order to reduce speed and if there was also a traffic study done. Sabas Avila, Assistant Director of Public Services indicated that state laws establish speed limits, the law states we have to conduct a traffic study and the city does have the ability to reduce speed to 25 mph, if the speed on that street is deemed unsafe or unreasonable. Mr. Avila stated that the traffic study has to determine higher speed is not safe or it is unreasonable to make it lower than 30 mph. Staff looks at the speed, characteristic of the road, is it residential area, does it have a narrow way or located near a school to justify the reduction of speed. Mr. Avila confirmed that the city can reduce to only 25 mph. Mayor Pro Tem Mihalkanin asked if the city does not have to do a traffic study, if there is change due to road conditions. Mr. Avila stated staff can consider the traffic study to lower speed limit. Mayor Hughson asked if we can do a temporary speed limit. Mr. Avila stated we can do that quickly as it requires city engineer and chief of police to approve the temporary speed limit for 90 days. Mr. Avila stated that during the 90 days, staff uses the time to do a traffic study and come back to establish an ordinance for reduction of speed limit. Joe Pantalion, Assistant City Manager, stated that they will be looking into a temporary speed reduction but will be working on a long term solution for the length of the project. EXECUTIVE SESSION 36. Executive Session in accordance with §Sec.551.071 of the Texas Government Code: Consultation with attorney - to receive advice of legal counsel regarding pending litigation, to wit: The Mayan at San Marcos River, LLC and City of Martindale v. City of San Marcos, Docket No. 04 -19 -00018 -CV in the 4th Court of Appeals of Texas. No Executive Session was needed this evening. ACTION/DIRECTION FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION 37. Consider action, by motion, regarding the following Executive Session items held during the Work Session and/or Regular Meeting: §Sec.551.071 of the Texas Government Code: Consultation with attorney - to receive advice of legal counsel regarding pending City of San Marcos Page 20