12 - TWO-WAY TRAFFIC ON 3RD S.W. STREETItem No. 12
memorandum
TO: Mayor & City Council
FROM: John Godwin, City Manager
SUBJECT: TWO -WAY TRAFFIC ON 3R' STREET SW
DATE: May 22, 2017
BACKGROUND: For several months in 2015 we considered and evaluated the advantages of
eliminating some or all of the one -way streets in downtown Paris. We quickly eliminated the
possibility of converting Lamar, Clarksville, Grand, or I" SW (all of those streets are TXDOT
highways in any case). The city controlled six one -way streets in downtown, however, all of
which we examined, and each of which was addressed by the Traffic Commission. The
commission recommended changing Houston, Price, and 2nd Street SW & NW, and 3`d Street
SW, from one -way to two -way traffic.
STATUS OF ISSUE: At that time we recommended changing Houston and Price immediately,
not changing 2nd at all, and delaying 3`d to a later date. Houston and Price were converted with
minimal issues, and have worked well since. At this point, we would like to again consider
moving forward with 3`d SW. One issue that came up in 2015 was the width of 3`d Street; it
seemed narrower than the others. However, it does have the width required for safe two -way
traffic, and is at least as wide as Houston and Price. If approved, prior to the conversion, we
would re- notify property affected owners.
BUDGET: Approximately $2,200 for changes to signs and road markings.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve ordinance converting 3`d Street to two -way traffic, after a
delayed effective date.
Draft
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
AMENDING THE TRAFFIC CONTROL MAP ADOPTED IN SECTION 31-
65(b), OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS; TO
CHANGE TRAFFIC FLOW ON 3RD SW STREET FROM BONHAM STREET TO
SHERMAN STREET FROM A ONE -WAY TO A TWO -WAY STREET FOR
TRAFFIC FLOW; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED
TO THE SUBJECT; PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A PENALTY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Paris Traffic Commission is charged with reviewing and
evaluating proposals to change traffic flow on City streets and roadways throughout the
City of Paris; and
WHEREAS, among those traffic evaluations by the Traffic Commission is the flow of
traffic on streets throughout the City; and
WHEREAS, the Traffic Commission was forwarded a request from City Staff
requesting these certain one -way streets be changed to two -way streets for traffic flow;
and
WHEREAS, On December 2, 2014, the Traffic Commission considered changing 3rd
SW Street from one -way to two -way traffic from Bonham Street to Sherman Street and
approved the item by a vote of 7 -0 recommending the changes. It was found that these
changes in the City of Paris are necessary and in the best interest of the citizens of the City
of Paris.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PARIS, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this ordinance are hereby in
all things approved.
Section 2. That the Traffic Control Map referenced in Section 31 -65(b) of the City
Code of Ordinances of the City of Paris, Texas, as heretofore amended, be, and the same is
hereby, further amended to change a one -way street to a two -way street traffic flow at the
following location:
"3rd SW Street from Bonham Street to Sherman Street"
Section 3. That all provisions of the ordinances of the City of Paris, Texas in
conflict with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed, and all other provisions
of the ordinances of the City of Paris not in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance
shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 4. That the repeal of any ordinance or part of ordinances affected by the
enactment of this ordinance shall not be construed as abandoning any action now pending
under or by virtue of such ordinance or as discontinuing, abating, modifying, or altering
any penalty accruing or to accrue, or as affecting any rights of the municipality under any
section or provisions of any ordinance at the time of passage of this ordinance.
Section 5. That it is the intention of the City Council of the City of Paris that this
ordinance and every provision hereof, shall be considered severable, and the invalidity or
partial invalidity of any section, clause, or provisions of this ordinance shall not affect the
validity of any other portion of this ordinance.
Section 6. That any person violating any provision of this ordinance shall be guilty
of a Misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be subject to a fine in accordance with
provisions of Sec. 1 -6 of Chapter One of the City of Paris Code of Ordinances, and each and
every day's continuance of any violation of the above - enumerated sections shall constitute
and be deemed a separate offense.
Section 7. That this ordinance shall become effective from and after its passage and
publication as required by law.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 12th day of June, 2017.
Steven J. Clifford, M.D., Mayor
ATTEST:
Janice Ellis, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Stephanie H. Harris, City Attorney