Another marathon City Council meeting

The Pensacola City Council is working hard. They held another 3 hour-plus meeting last night. IN reporter Sean Boone was there:

News:Speed Limit Reduced For $12k
by Sean Boone

Drivers will now be forced to drive 5 mph slower in neighborhoods–but it will come with a price tag.
City Council passed a recommendation at Thursday’s meeting that will move speed limits from 30 mph in residential areas to 25 mph, but will be paying approximately $12,000 to repaint signs.

According to Public Works Director Al Garza, there are 350 signs that will be changed. The City will work on approximately 25 per day.

The issue came with mixed emotion from residents.

“There is no empirical data to base (the decision),” said Stan Peterson. “This is an enforcement issue, not a speed limit one.”

Retired Marine Mike Brown said he favored the reduction for the safety of his four-year-old child.
“We can turn around that investment,” he said. “As a father Id like my son to get to the point in his life where he can drive. Saving a life is worth the money spent.”

Council passed the measure 8-2.

–Playground equipment of $155,600.98 is approved for Sanders Beach. The equipment meets the American Disabilities Act requirements and will compare to equipment of Bayview Park, according to city officials.

–An increase for all day parking rates at the airport was approved. Previous rates of $8.50 were increased to $10.00 to pay for airport renovations.

–The Capitol Hill Group will be the City’s lobbyist. Former Mayor Jerry Maygarden’s firm will represent the City in both Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. for various services.

–Former County Administrator George Touart and other members of the St. Michael’s Cemetery Board were awarded $7,500 from the City to remove broken tree limbs in and around the cemetery that could possibly damage headstones. The group had already been allocated $7,500 from the county dependent upon City’s approval.

–Council repeated their motion to deny a licensed right of way on North 8th Avenue, which would be used to create four parking spaces in a new commercial development. A motion was made to bring the issue back to staff for alterations.

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