01-17-1995 - Ordinance Intro: Badillo Street Speed Zone / La Puente Road Speed ZoneCity of West Covina
Memorandum
TO: City Manager and City Council
FROM: Patrick Glover, City Engineer/Public Works Director
SUBJECT: ORDINANCE INTRODUCTION:
AGENDA
ITEM NO. C-8a
DATE January 17, 1995
®PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
BADILLO STREET SPEED ZONE
LA PUENTE ROAD SPEED ZONE
SUMMARY: In order to implement the speed zones that the City Council approved on
January 3, 1995 as part of the Traffic Committee Minutes from December
20, 1994, it is necessary that the Municipal Code be amended as required
by the California Vehicle Code.
BACKGROUND
According to California State Law, the enforcement of speed limits -with radar requires that
an Engineering and Traffic Survey must have been completed within the previous five years
and that the appropriate speed limits be entered into ordinance. The predominant condition
governing the established speed is the critical approach speed. The critical approach "speed is
defined as that speed at or below which 85 % of the vehicles are travelling. According to the
California Traffic manual, "Speed limits set at or slightly below the 85 % percentile speed
provide law enforcement officers with a means of controlling the drivers who will not
conform to what the majority considers reasonable and prudent".
ANALYSIS
At its regular meeting on Tuesday, December 20, 1994, the Traffic Committee reviewed
Traffic and Engineering Surveys for Badillo Street and La Puente Road. Speed limits, other
that the prima facie speed limit of 25 miles per hour and the maximum speed limit of 55
miles per hour are established by ordinance. To remain in compliance with the provisions of
the California Vehicle Code and the California Traffic Manual, the established speed limits
in the West Covina Municipal Code for certain street segments of the aforementioned streets
should be amended. The City Council approved these speed zones on January 3. 1995.
The current speed limit on La Puente Road from Nogales Street to Sentous Street is 40 miles
per hour and will be increased to 45 miles per hour. There are no residences facing 'onto
this segment of La Puente Road and the new speed limit is supported by the approved speed
study.
The current speed limit on Badillo Street is 45 miles per hour but is not codified. The
proposed action retains the current speed limit and simply codifies it.
FISCAL IMPACT
The revenue that the City receives from enforcement of the established speed limits is
deposited in the Traffic Safety Fund. There can be a slight variation .,in revenue from fines
related to enforcement of the posted speed limits.
ALTERNATIVES
The alternative is to not establish the new speed limits. This alternative is not viable because
radar enforcement of speed limits on these streets would no longer be legal.
Agenda:SpeedOrd
City Manager and City Council
Ordinances - Speed Limits
December 20, 1994
Page 2
RECONEAENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council introduce the following Ordinances:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF. WEST
COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE SECTION 22-131 OF THE
WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO INCREASES OF
STATE LAW PRIMA FACIE SPEEDS.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST
COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE SECTION .22-132 OF THE
WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO DECREASES OF
STATE LAW MAXIMUM SPEEDS.
atrick J.-bldver
City Engineer/Public Works Director
PJG:Iag
SpeedOrd