Plains council reviews proposed traffic, parking laws

Last week's Plains Town Council meeting addressed several proposed ordinances affecting speed limits, parking and use of city-owned lands, and through truck traffic on portions of Clayton Street.

Ward 2 Council Member John Sheridan chaired this month’s meeting with the absence of Mayor Chris Allen.

The judge's report reviewed 48 new cases, 68 cases pending and 75 active warrants. Collections of fines in May were $3,250.

The vacuum trailer equipment purchase has been finalized and the town has taken possession of it. New gates have been purchased and installed at the new sewer lagoon to limit vehicle traffic in the area.

Plains will be welcoming Rob Geenen as the newest full-time police officer. Geenen was raised in Plains and left the area as a young adult to work as a corrections officer in Oregon. He returned to Plains with his family to a simpler lifestyle. Geenen has been a Reserve Officer in Plains for the last year and will be attending the Montana Law Enforcement Academy within the next year.

Sheridan reported a town water system loss of 21%, a higher amount than normal. Some of that loss was attributed to the vehicle accident that caused the loss of a fire hydrant by a DUI driver.

The town fire department reported that they have discharged four volunteer members for lack of attendance at meetings and emergency responses.

The bulk of the council meeting was reading several proposed ordinances.

The first on the agenda was Ordinance 23-3. It clarified stopping, parking and use of city owned lands including dedicated parks and rights of ways for overnight camping. The first reading was tabled by Council Member Connie Foust for further review because of vague language.

Proposed Ordinance 260, in its third reading, added a fine amount of $50 for the offense of speeding within posted limits of 15 miles per hour and within alleys.

The last proposed Ordinance was 20-2, which prohibits through truck traffic on portions of Clayton Street. The town expressed concern about the damage heavy truck traffic is doing to the local roads. The council voted to approve the law.

A special Street District levy will be on the fall ballot to continue to raise money for town road infrastructure. This levy will be in place to continue road infrastructure improvements for the next five years.

Public comments were made by Dave Wonder about vehicles not stopping at the four-way stop signs on 3rd street and 4th avenues. Loren Hatnick raised a concern about the lack of proper construction measures taken during the repaving process on First Street. He has had extensive experience with paving crews and offered his knowledge to help the town public works department.

Last on the agenda was the need to hire an additional police officer.