City council discusses potential school zone cellphone ordinance
A group has formed to discuss a potential ordinance regarding cell phone usage in school zones during car pool times.
Dale Wisely, director of student services for Mountain Brook City Schools, brought the ordinance request before the city council, and it was discussed during the Jan. 11 pre-council meeting. He said there is a growing issue with individuals — including parents and those driving through the area — talking on their cell phones while driving and becoming distracted during car pool lines.
While there are state laws against texting while driving, he said some parents continue to talk on their cell phones during car pool times and thereby pose a safety risk to the children in the area.
“We’re just seeing more and more of it,” Wisely said.
The restriction would be for car pool times, from 7:30-8 a.m. and 2:30-3:15 p.m.
Council Pro Tem Billy Pritchard said the act of defining what constitutes a school zone could pose an issue. He gave the example of the future Piggly Wiggly location being nearby Crestline Elementary and said restricting cell phone use there might be difficult.
Mountain Brook Police Chief Ted Cook said he saw some enforcement issues. He said some drivers might not take note of signs prohibiting cell phone use, especially if they are on a road they do not travel frequently.
After some discussion, the council decided to form a group to further discuss a potential ordinance. The group includes Wisely, Cook, Pritchard, City Attorney Whit Colvin and council member Jack Carl.
During the regular council meeting, the council approved a resolution for the installation and rental of four fire hydrants on Rock Hill Road and Riverbend Road. The payment for installation and rental was $10,804.
The need for these fire hydrants was recognized during the city’s recent ISO evaluation. These locations did not meet the ISO standard of having a hydrant within 1,000 feet, and the city had budgeted for these new hydrants.
The council also approved two ordinances and one resolution in relation to the installation of small cell antenna in public right-of-way. The installation includes laying fiber optic cables as well, and the installation is expected to be done before the end of 2016.
Also at the meeting, the council:
- Formed a committee to discuss the public assembly ordinance.
- Discussed a pedestrian bridge to go over Highway 280 on Hollywood Boulevard. Smith said she would look further into the project.
- Reappointed Keehn Berry to the Park and Recreation Board. He will serve without compensation, and his term will end Jan. 9, 2021.
- Reappointed Lynn Ritchie to the Villages Design Review Committee. He will serve without compensation, and his term will end Feb. 12, 2019.
- Rejected all bids with respect to removing and managing invasive plants and noxious weeds in Jemison Park.
- Authorized an agreement between the city and the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (MAX) for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30.
- Approved a conditional use application for Meta Fitness at 3150 Overton Road. The gym is based on one-on-one training rather than group fitness and will employ three personal trainers to start.
- Approved a resolution to issue a purchase order for telecommunication services with AT&T.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for Jan. 25 at 7 p.m., with pre-council at an earlier time.