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ORDINANCE: O-2002-47
SUBJECT: Amending Title 10 of the Lakewood Municipal Code pertaining to Vehicles and Traffic.
ADDRESS: N/A
RECOMMENDATION: Mayor and City Council approve the proposed ordinance.
FUNDING SOURCE: N/A
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
The proposed ordinance amends Title 10, pertaining to vehicles and traffic, by making the following changes:
· Gross weight of vehicles and loads. The proposed amendment specifies the fine schedule relating to vehicles, which exceed the lawful wheel and axle weight limits. The fine schedule mirrors that found in the state traffic code. Currently, the municipal traffic code does not set forth specific fine amounts for these violations. These significant fines would be mandated upon conviction.
· Foreign matter on street or highway prohibited. The proposed amendment adds the language that the legislature passed during its special session this fall. The amendment would make it unlawful for any person to throw, drop, or otherwise expel a lighted cigarette, cigar, match, or other burning material from a motor vehicle on any highway. Violation of this new subsection will have an increased penalty. The passage of this restriction by the legislature was motivated by the concern that persons discard burning cigarettes out of car windows without considering the potential fire danger.
· Funeral processions. This lengthy provision is being amended to eliminate the reference to a license being issued by the city to escorts of funeral processions. No such license exists, so the amendment removes this outdated language.
· Authority of Red Rocks Community College Campus Police Officers. This amendment will empower Red Rocks Community College Campus (RRCC) police officers to issue municipal traffic tickets to persons violating the Lakewood Traffic Code within the boundaries of the Red Rocks Community College that are located within the City of Lakewood. Chief John Mackey of the RRCC Police Department has requested this enforcement authority for his officers. RRCC employs twelve police officers. These officers are state certified and have full police powers on the college campus, including arrest authority. Currently, all traffic tickets issued by RRCC officers are written into state court. The majority of traffic tickets, which are written by RRCC officers, are to Lakewood residents. Allowing RRCC officers to cite traffic violators into municipal court will be more convenient for the Lakewood residents who have received traffic citations. The City will keep the revenues received from the issuance of such traffic tickets.
· Minimum standards for commercial vehicles. The addition of Chapter 10.68 to the Lakewood Traffic Code will enable police agents to cite truck drivers into municipal court who violate commercial vehicle standards. Commercial vehicles would be required to be in compliance with the rules and regulations governing the safety standards and specifications that have been promulgated by the Colorado Department of Public Safety. The proposed chapter adopts by reference these rules and regulations. With the increase volume of commercial vehicles being operated on the roadways, the safety concerns surrounding the use and operation of these vehicles is of vital concern to the police department.
DATE OF FIRST READING: November 25, 2002
DATE OF SECOND READING: December 9, 2002
ORIGINATED BY: Ronald R. Burns, Chief of Police, 303-987-7102
STAFF PERSON RESPONSIBLE: Janet Young, Deputy City Attorney, 303-987-7108
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED: Ordinance 2002-47
Redline Version
SUBMITTED BY:
Ronald R. Burns, Chief of Police
REVIEWED BY:
Joni Inman, Director Mayor and City Manager's Office
Michael J. Rock, City Manager
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