COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Coldwater City Council changed course on Monday night and voted 6-1 to revisit a Department of Municipal Services policy regarding child warning signs in the City of Coldwater.
City staff is expected to make recommendations to the Council so the matter can be discussed during their next meeting on September 8.
The D.M.S. has received requests over the years from residents to install specialty message or special needs signs.
Deputy D.M.S. Director Joe Thornburg says their research indicated the signs have little or no effect on driving behavior and may give the impression that it is safe for children to play in the street.
Audience member Jane Nastally disagreed with that assessment.
Council member John Petzko felt the issue should be at least revisited.
Mayor Tom Kramer pointed out that in some cases, the signs become outdated.
The Council passed a resolution almost two years ago that established a policy which only permitted street signs that are covered in the State and Federally adopted Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
It called for the city to no longer install child specialty warning signs and to remove those currently in place.
A motion to revisit the policy was voted down 5-4 on July 28.
It’s a no brainer but it obviously has the council confused. Go figure.