ORD NO 17-2007 0 CITY OF VAN BUREN. ARKANSAS
ORDINANCE NO. 1 -2007
BE IT ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, FOR THE CITY OF VAN BUREN,
ARKANSAS, AN ORDINANCE TO BE ENTITLED:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 6 -1971
(CHAPTER 8.24 OF THE VAN BUREN MUNICIPAL CODE)
TO ESTABLISH THE MAXIMUM LAWFUL SPEED ON A
VAN BUREN CITY STREET TO 25 MILES PER HOUR
UNLESS OTHERWISE POSTED, DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, the current base speed limit, for unposted city streets in Van Buren, is 35 miles per
hour; and
WHEREAS, this includes many residential areas in the City of Van Buren where the size or
topography of the streets makes 35 miles per hour an unsafe and potentially
hazardous speed limit; and
WHEREAS, the City Engineer and the City Street Department have determined it is not
0 economically feasible, or otherwise practicable, to post many of the smaller or more
challenging residential streets with signage; and
WHEREAS, the penalty section of Chapter 8.24 of the Van Buren Municipal Code has not been
adjusted in over thirty -five years, and should be adjusted to allow for fines up to
$100.00; and
WHEREAS, notice of a Public Hearing was duly published and a Public Hearing was conducted
by the Van Buren Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, the proposed changes herein were recommended by a majority vote of the entire
Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS. time is of the essence and an emergency has been determined to exist;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS, THAT:
SECTION 1: Ordinance No. 6 -1971, Sec. 1 (Section 8.24.01(B) of the Van Buren Municipal Code)
is hereby amended as follows:
"On all streets except where a special hazard exists that requires
lowered for compliance with paragraph (a) of this section, the
maximum lawful speed on city streets shall be
twenty -five (25) miles per hour unless otherwise posted and no
person shall drive a vehicle on a city street at a speed in excess of
such limit."
SECTION 2: Ordinance No. 6 -1971. Sec. 2 (Section 8.24.02 of the Van Buren Municipal Code)
is hereby amended as follows:
"Any person who violates any of the provisions of this ordinance
shall be deemed guilty ofa misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof
shall be punished by a fine in the amount not exceeding Fift Dona, s
($50.00) One Hundred Dollars (S100.00)."
SECTION 3: Emergency Clause. The ability to protect drivers and pedestrians in the city of Van
Buren is essential to the public health, safety and welfare, and this goal can be met
by enactment of this ordinance; an emergency is therefore declared to exist and this
ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after the date of its passage.
SECTION 4: The various provisions and parts of this Ordinance are hereby declared to be
severable, and, if any section or part of a section, or any provision or part of a
provision herein, is declared to be unconstitutional, inappropriate, or invalid by any
court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not invalidate or affect the
0 remainder of this Ordinance and to that extent the provisions hereto are declared to
be severable.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the City of Van Buren, Arkansas, by its City Council, did pass,
approve, and adopt, by a vote of for and o against, the foregoing Ordinance at its
meeting held on the 18th day of June 2007.
IP.a
Robert D. Freem ayor�
ATTESTED:
Barbie Curtis, City Clerk/Treasurer
A' `O t AS TO 8RM:
raak
N. e dJen_ Jr., .ty•• ttorney