Stop Sign Debate Moves To Third Reading
The Oskaloosa City Council for September 4, 2012
The City Council is debating whether to put in a stop sign, either temporary or permanent, at the corner of South 7th Street and 5th Avenue East by Webster School. The Oskaloosa School District has requested that the stop sign be put in because a preschool program is held at Webster and there will be increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic at the intersection.
City council member Scottie Moore suggested voting the ordinance change in during this meeting and waiving the requirement that it go through a third reading in two weeks. Council members Jason Van Zetten and Aaron Versteeg expressed concern about adding in the stop signs—Van Zetten wanted to see information that would prove that the stop sign was necessary. Both Van Zetten and Versteeg agreed that they would be more inclined to support putting the stop sign in if it were a temporary one, but neither supported a permanent stop sign. Moore said that since the city council is planning on taking a look at possibly removing a number of four-way stops throughout town, that if they later decide that this one is unnecessary, they could take it out even if they pass the measure at tonight’s meeting.
Moore’s suggestion to waive the third reading did not pass—the City Council will make a final decision on whether to put the stop sign in during the next meeting in two weeks.
Also during the meeting, the city council presented a revised version of ordinances about golf carts—the new laws would allow golf carts to drive and park on city streets if drivers registered with the chief of police and displayed a sticker that showed registration, as well as purchase minimal liability insurance. The changes passed but won’t go into effect unless approved twice more during future city council meetings.
The city council also approved a Class C liquor license for Capri’s Italian Grill, the new restaurant in Penn Central Mall.
