Katz eyes speed limit decrease

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This article was published 03/09/2011 (5397 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The City of Winnipeg is one step closer to lowering the speed limit in school zones.

Mayor Sam Katz is following through on an August pledge to put the administrative wheels in motion toward a reduction of school-zone speed limits to 30 kilometres per hour from the current 50 kilometres per hour.

On Wednesday, the mayor will bring a motion to council’s executive policy committee, asking city staff to put together a plan to make the changes. A reduction can not be made immediately because city staff must determine which schools should have reduced speed zones, as some are located along major streets, Katz said in an interview.

“It’s not just a blanket approach, where you just drop it at every single school. The focus would obviously be on elementary schools,” he said.

The city also must ask the province for permission to reduce the speed limit in school zones, as the limits are regulated by the Highway Traffic Act.

Katz cited research suggesting school-zone speed-limit reductions reduce serious injuries and fatalities stemming from vehicle-pedestrian collisions.

 

Pawn shop alleges police ‘coercion’

 

A West End pawn shop is appealing a city order to better document its transactions through means that include photographs of second-hand goods being sold as well as photos of the people selling them.

Sargent Avenue’s A&C Pawn will appear before council’s protection and community services committee on Thursday to appeal a July order to comply with provisions of the Doing Business in Winnipeg Bylaw that cover second-hand goods.

In an appeal letter, lawyer J.A. Kagan said A&C Pawn has assisted police investigations and has not harmed anyone or their property.

Kagan wrote A&C Pawn “has operated its business without any difficulties until this most recent effort by the City of Winnipeg police to coerce compliance with respect to a bylaw which we view to be unlawful.”

 

Cats come back to city hall

 

A River Heights woman who appeared before city councillors twice this spring to request permission to keep almost two dozen cats in her home is appealing a new order to remove felines from her home.

In June, the city ordered Nancy Swaine to part ways with all but three of her cats, claiming in an order she had up to 23 in her residence.

Swaine, who appeared before council in April and May, argued in an appeal letter those hearings were unfair.

Her appeal before council’s protection and community services committee — now led by rookie Charleswood Coun. Paula Havixbeck, following the resignation of former St. Vital Coun. Gord Steeves — is slated for Thursday.

 

Cabbie parking considered

GORD Steeves may be gone from city hall, but his legislative agenda will continue this Thursday, when the former councillor’s effort to free up more space for taxi cabs comes before his old committee.

The protection and community services committee will consider a Steeves-sponsored motion to allow cabs to wait in front of fire hydrants, provided the drivers remain in their cars. Calgary allows this practice to occur, he said.

If the committee approves, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service will be asked to consider the idea.

bartley.kives@freepress.mb.ca