06/18/2002 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 6/18/2002 when not on the owner's premises. The Police Department has expressed concern regarding pet owners allowing their dogs to run loose on other people's property. Our present ordinance does not require that a dog be leashed when it is out of its owner's presence. Concerns were raised as to whether passage of this ordinance would prohibit a dog to run loose in the Metroparks or other open areas even when accompanied by its owner. Should this ordinance be passed, it must be amended to reflect certain carved exceptions such as the park issue, as well as allowing an exception for our Police Canines. This was unanimously referred to the Law Department for review and discussion with the Police Department to establish these exceptions. ^ Ordinance 2002-88, an ordinance amending Section 505.08(bx2) of the General Offenses Code entitled "Nuisance Conditions Prohibited" by removing the words "frequently" for enforcement purposes. In order to increase the enforceability of violations by animals on other people's property, this ordinance states that the word "frequently" when referring to these disturbances should be removed to allow officers to address this issue on the first offense. it was suggested that removal of that word may in fact remove the possibility of an officer having discretion in these matters. This was unanimously referred to the Law Departmern for review with a caveat that, should the word "frequently" remain with regard to animal nuisances, the word must be carefully defined in the ordinance. • Ordinance 2001-129. This ordinance amends Section 305.01 and 305.02 of Chapter 305 of the Traffic Code entitled "Traffic Comrol" in order to include crosswalks as safety control devices subject to the regulatory provisions of that chapter. This ordinance, in effect, includes crosswalks as a traffic control device and allows for Council to prohibit the removal of any crosswalk within a school zone without approval. Examples of situations where crosswalks have been removed without Council's knowledge were cited. With the assistance of the Traffic Engineer, it was established that this should be limited to painted school crosswalks and any crosswalk within a quarter mile of a school zone and that this should be added to the Traffic Control File. This ordinance was once again unanimously referred to the Law Department and Engineering Departmem to establish which crosswalks this addresses. ^ As chairman of the Safety Committee, Mrs. Kesler asked for discussion on a proposal to potentially make the failure to use a seat belt a primary offense. Some opposition to this idea included not over-regulating and allowing drivers to continue unless cited for another violation. Those in favor of the idea stated that it is rumored that the state is considering this proposal and further the city, should it choose to increase the level of seat belt requirements, may avail itself of grams and other programs offered by such institutions as University Hospital, which organization promotes and recognizes cities with unique and proactive traffic enforcement programs. It was agreed that the issue warrants and requires further input and review from perhaps AAA, necessarily our Police Department and other relevam organizations. It should be noted also that the Law Department in its opinion suggested that this in fact was within our ability to change. This will be further discussed at another committee meeting. ^ Chairperson Kesler brought forth for initial discussion the idea of establishing a mayor's court in the City of North Olmsted. After reviewing court records and 9