City Council tonight approved an ordinance allowing the use of speed detection systems in school zones. Police Chief Doug Goerke said these speed detection systems are intended to “heighten public awareness of school zone safety regulations, mitigate speeding, and ultimately enhance safety.”
Goerke told Council that speeds were measured in seven school zones in the city on three consecutive school days January 30 through February 1. During those three days, he said, 3,701 speeding violations were captured during school zone hours while the flashing beacons were on. Outside of school zone hours, when the flashing beacons were not on, there were 1,125 violations. He broke down the data by school, and some of the data was surprising to Council. At St. Cloud Elementary School, for example, traffic on Budinger showed 1,262 potential violations during school zone hours when the flashing beacons were on.
“The data is unbelievable,” said Council Member Shawn Fletcher. “This solution is almost guaranteed to save a life.”
Council Member Kolby Urban agreed. “Some of those numbers were staggering to see,” Urban said. “The safety of the students and the crossing guards is a top priority.”
Under state law, the city is required to post signage warning drivers that speed detection systems are in use. The law also requires a 30-day public awareness campaign prior to enforcement. Violators will receive a $100 penalty for each violation. Of that $100, $60 goes to the city, $12 goes to the county school district, and $5 goes to find a school crossing guard recruitment and retention program.
“I’d be content not getting any money,” Goerke said. “I’m hoping people see the signs that detection systems are in use and they just slow down.”
The penalties do not include points on the motorist’s license, and the law prohibits these violations from being used for purposes of setting motor vehicle insurance rates.
In other action, Council:
• Approved 3-2 a proposal to rezone a tract of land near Michigan Avenue and 17th Street to allow multi-family dwellings. The existing zoning allows only single family or duplexes.
• Approved a proposal to develop Eden Living St. Cloud, a “built to rent” community on the east side of South Narcoossee Road between Lillian Lee and Haywood Ruffin roads. The development proposes 216 rental houses in a professionally managed community with private fenced yards and resort-style amenities.
• Approved on first reading updates to the Future Land Use Element of the city’s Comprehensive Plan
• Recognized August employee of the month, Ty Toomey, a firefighter / paramedic, for his efforts in saving a pediatric patient on a recent call.
• Received an award from the Florida League of Cities for the city’s Economic Gardening Program. The Economic Advancement Award recognizes a program that supports, highlights, or partners with the local community to improve the economic well-being of the city. Economic gardening is an entrepreneurial approach to economic development that embraces the idea that entrepreneurs drive economies. St. Cloud’s Economic Gardening program included many financial and technical assistance programs for businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and by downtown construction. The program offered $190,000 in grants, technical support, fee waivers and marketplace information for small and mid-size businesses. Among the programs included in the Economic Gardening program were Cloud Cash, utility payment assistance, marketing grants, and a shuttle service.
• Approved the purchase of a Pierce pumper / engine for St. Cloud Fire Rescue. The engine will serve new Station 36. Fire Chief Jason Miller told Council it takes about three years to receive an engine once it’s ordered.
• Approved a budget amendment.
• Approved the Consent Agenda.
