Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish Notice of Public Hearing to be held on April 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 422 of Governmental Center East to consider enactment of a proposed Ordinance, the title of which is as follows: (Deferred from March 11, 2025 - Item No. 13)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO SPEED DETECTION SYSTEMS IN SCHOOL ZONES; REPEALING SECTION 23-6 OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES (“CODE”) RELATING TO SCHOOL ZONE SPEED LIMITS; CREATING A NEW ARTICLE II OF CHAPTER 23, INCLUDING SECTIONS 23-9 THROUGH 23-11, RELATING TO SCHOOL ZONE SPEED LIMITS AND SPEED DETECTION SYSTEMS; RENUMBERING AND AMENDING ARTICLES II AND III OF CHAPTER 23; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by Senator Steve Geller)
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Why Action is Necessary
The proposed Ordinance was prepared by the County Attorney’s Office as directed by the Board of County Commissioners (“Board”) on June 18, 2024.
What Action Accomplishes
Enables the setting of a public hearing during which the Board may consider enacting the proposed Ordinance.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☐County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
On June 18, 2024, the County Attorney’s Office was directed to draft this proposed Ordinance. In order to install speed detection systems within school zones in the Broward County Municipal Services District (“BMSD”), the County must: (i) consider traffic data or other evidence supporting the installation and operation of each proposed school zone speed detection system; and (ii) make a determination that each school zone where the speed detection system is to be placed constitutes a heightened safety risk that warrants additional enforcement measures.
The Traffic Engineering Division collected speed and traffic volume data for the
County-maintained roadways that are within the BMSD as school zones for both Meadowbrook Elementary and Dillard High School, and compiled the foregoing data on September 20, 2024 (“Traffic Study”). The Traffic Study confirmed that about 20% to 53% of the vehicles exceeded the reduced school zone speed limit and posted speed limit on the roadways adjacent to Meadowbrook Elementary (SW 46th Avenue and SW 43rd Way). The Traffic Study further confirmed that approximately (i) 11% to 41% of the vehicles exceeded the reduced school zone speed limit and posted speed limit on NW 23rd Court, the roadway on the north side of Dillard High School; and (ii) 24% to 26% of the vehicles exceeded the reduced school speed limit and the posted speed limit on NW 27th Avenue, which is the primary access for Dillard High School (Exhibit 4).
The proposed Ordinance renumbers existing provisions found in Section 23-6 of the Code regarding school zone speed limits and adds provisions regarding speed detection systems to create a new Article II of Chapter 23. Chapter 2023-174, Laws of Florida, is implemented by (i) making legislative findings based on the Traffic Study that the speeding at Meadowbrook Elementary and Dillard High School constitutes a heightened safety risk that warrants additional enforcement measures; and (ii) authorizing the placement or installation of the speed detection systems.
The existing Articles II and III of Chapter 23 of the Code have consequently been renumbered as Articles III and IV of Chapter 23.
Source of Additional Information
Maite Azcoitia, Deputy County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The Fiscal Impact Statement by the Office of Management and Budget will be provided at the time of the public hearing, in compliance with Section 18.5(e)(7) of the Broward County Administrative Code.