18 - Reduction of Speed Limit - E. Sherman from 2th SE East to 14th SEItem No. 18
Memorandum
TO: Mayor, Mayor Pro -Tem & City Council
Grayson Path, City Manager
FROM: Randy Tuttle, Assistant Chief of Police
SUBJECT: REDUCTION OF SPEED LIMIT
DATE: August 14, 2023
BACKGROUND: City Engineer Todd Mittge received a complaint from Paris Housing Authority
concerning large trucks damaging the lawn at Sherman Court and a concern for speeding vehicles
in 1400 block E. Sherman near Sherman Court. To address the speed issue Mr. Mittge is
recommending the current 30 mph speed limit be reduced to 20 mph on E. Sherman from 12th SE
east to 14th SE. Mr. Mittge cited the factors of no sidewalk for pedestrians, large trucks using the
load/unload dock at Kroger, mid -block T intersection, limited length of street, and 90 degree bend
of street at 14th SE as reason for his recommendation.
STATUS OF ISSUE: On August 01, 2023 the City of Paris Traffic Commission considered this
issue and voted 4-0 to recommend the City Council consider enacting an ordinance reducing the
speed limit as recommended from a 30 mph to 20 mph.
BUDGET: No anticipated impact on current budget
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Ordinance amending the Traffic Control Map reducing speed
limit from 30 mph to 20 mph.
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
REDUCING THE SPEED LIMIT FROM 30 MPH TO 20 MPH ON EAST
SHERMAN STREET BETWEEN 12TH SE TO 14TH SE STREETS; PROVIDING
A REPEALER CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A
PENALTY CLAUSE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS, City Staff received a complaint from the Paris Housing Authority
regarding large trucks damaging the lawn at its property, Sherman Court, and speeding
vehicles on East Sherman Street in the vicinity of said property; and
WHEREAS, safety concerns in the area between 12th SE to 14th SE Streets on East
Sherman Street include the absence of sidewalks for pedestrians; large trucks using the
loading dock at the Kroger grocery store; the presence of a mid -block T -intersection; the
limited length of the street; and 90 degree bend of the street at 14th SE Street; and
WHEREAS, on August 1, 2023, the City's Traffic Commission considered the issue
and voted 4-0 to recommend that the City enact an ordinance to reduce the speed in said
area from thirty (30) miles per hour to twenty (20) miles per hour; and
WHERAS, the City Council finds that enacting an ordinance to provide for said
reduction of speed limit in the affected area is in the best interest of the citizens of Paris
and of public safety;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PARIS, LAMAR COUNTY, 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 of the City of Paris, Texas, as amended
and as adopted in Chapter 11, Article 11.02.005, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of
Paris, Texas, be, and the same is hereby, further amended to reduce the speed limit from
thirty (30) miles per hour to twenty (20) miles per hour between 12th to 14th SE Streets on
East 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 of the provisions of this ordinance shall
be guilty of a Misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, shall be subject to a fine in accordance
with provisions of Section 1.01.009 of the City of Paris Code of Ordinances and Texas
Transportation Code Sec. 545.401.
Section 7. That this ordinance shall become effective from and after its passage
and publication as required by law.
PASSED AND ADOPTED on this 14th day of August, 2023.
Reginald B. Hughes, Mayor
ATTEST:
Janice Ellis, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Stephanie H. Harris, City Attorney