§ 19-200. Factual and policy findings by city council.

Whereas, based upon the input of the planning commission's work on corridor studies, resident's complaints, the advice of law enforcement and the administration, and upon its own collective knowledge of traffic issues in the city; and being further based upon the submittal and roadway classification system of the city engineer, the city council finds that: Recurring and incident/nonrecurring congestion dramatically impact and disrupt normal functional operation of the transportation system as a result of increased travel demand and/or decrease in roadway capacity. The existence of congestion traffic is inimical to public health, safety and welfare. The purpose of congestion traffic management is to reduce the intensity of motor vehicle use during peak hour congestion, thereby easing gridlock in movement and encouraging commuters to take alternate routes, walk, bicycle or take mass transit as an alternative. Because of its narrow and linear shape, the city uniquely has roads with characteristics that blend into separate classifications, that require a unique approach to congestion mitigation. The goals of mitigation are to relieve congestion in less intense areas that have become overburdened, and to distribute motor vehicle traffic within the roadway system of classifications. This will allow the congestion points to ease, particularly in impacted arterial, collector and local roads, and will reduce delays and motorist frustration over traffic which seemingly does not move when traffic volume would elevate a road into the next category of intensity of use, beyond its geometric design or demand capacity. Reduced congestion will benefit those who continue to drive, in the form of faster, more predictable commutes. Essential trips, particularly emergency vehicles, delivery vehicles and small business owners, will become less susceptible to traffic-related delays. Management will improve our city's air quality, and protect our quality of life by reducing congestion at certain critical roadway segments, promoting managed movement of vehicles, and more fairly allow citizens and visitors alike to utilize key transportation corridors. This article in no way limits law enforcement officer's discretion in emergency or exigent circumstances to take such action as is prudent to protect the public's health, safety or welfare.

(Ord. No. 2009-14, 5-12-09)