02-07-1995 - "Watch for Children" SignsCity of West Covina
Memorandum
TO: City Manager and City Council 1 �I AG DA
FROM: Patrick Glover ITEM NO. C-log
City Engineer/Public Works Director DATE February 7, 1995
®PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
SUBJECT: "WATCH FOR CHILDREN" SIGNS
SUMMARY: The City Council has authorized the use of "Watch for
Children" signs. Suggested "Special Conditions" warranting
these signs are proposed for City Council adoption.
BACKGROUND
On January 17, 1995, the City council authorized the use of "Watch For Children" signs
provided the requestor pays for the initial fabrication and installation. Since both Federal and
State regulations require "special conditions" for the use of "other warning signs", staff has
developed "special conditions" that provide for the rather liberal use of this sign where it may
have some benefit while attempting to prevent its misuse. ' As provided by the Municipal Code,
all requests will be processed through the Traffic Committee and acted upon by the City
Council. The current request has gone through the Traffic Committee and City Council and the
sign installation will be processed in accordance with the directions of the City Council.
ANALYSIS
The basic reason for having this sign seems to . be an above normal presence of ' children in a
residential neighborhood. Therefore, the "special condition" for this sign could be most simply
defined as:
1) A street with a "prima facia" speed limit of 25 mph. This is simply a way to define
a residential neighborhood under the Vehicle Code and court rulings. The actual speed
limit could be, higher such as California Avenue at 35 mph even though the "prima facia"
speed limit is 25 mph.
2) The requestor/neighborhood pays for the initial fabrication and installation costs
(currently $245 per sign). One sign is required for cul-de-sac streets and two signs (one
for each direction) are required for through streets.
ALTERNATIVE
The City Council could decide not to have any controls on the use of this sign other than that
someone wants it and is willing to pay for the fabrication and installation. -
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be minor costs for stationary and postage associated with the processing of requests
for "Watch for Children" signs.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the "Special Conditions" warrant for "Watch for
Children" signs.
P ick J. d<v r
City Engineer/Public Works Director
PJG: jmg
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