The ordinance proposing changes to Perryville’s seat belt laws failed to pass on second reading at the October 6 meeting, while other measures were passed.
Currently, Perryville’s seatbelt laws are “secondary seatbelt laws” meaning that while minors can be ticketed solely for not wearing a seatbelt, police can only issue a ticket to an adult for not wearing a seat belt if they are already pulled over for a different traffic violation first.
Police Chief Dustin Miller proposed a change at the September 1 meeting that would change this, turning Perryville into a “primary seatbelt city” in which police can pull a driver over for not wearing a seat belt as a primary offense.
The board added the ordinance to the agenda for first reading on September 22, and for second reading and voting on October 6.
Following the first reading, some board members expressed concerns brought to their attention from citizens about the potential changes, regarding civil liberties and the potential for the law to be taken advantage of.
“I was contacted by a couple people that are concerned about civil liberties and feel that whether or not a seatbelt is safe or not was not their concern,” alderman Clint Rice said at the September 22 meeting. “I guess the thought was that the police should be doing the job of protecting people from other people and them not wearing a seat belt doesn’t affect other people. The concern was brought up about can this be used to target people or used as a reason to pull someone over when in reality you’re looking for something else.”
Miller claimed that safety was the main concern of the department when proposing the change.
“It can be used as a tool, yes, I will admit that, but we will not be out so-called headhunting or nitpicking,” Miller said. “It’s all about safety.”
The ordinance was voted on during the October 6 meeting, failing to pass by a vote of 5-1.
The final plat of the L.P. Schuessler Subdivision was approved. The proposed re-subdivision reconfigures the existing two lots fronting Reddick Street to create two new lots fronting Zeno Street. The proposed lots are intended for potential residential development.
The final plot of the J and J subdivision was approved. The proposed re-subdivision would reconfigure the existing two lots facing Phillips Street to create two new lots facing Delaney Street. The proposed lots are intended for residential development.
Easement deeds were accepted from Frank’s Produce, and property owners of Cricket Wireless and Saint Francis Healthcare. According to city administrator Brent Buerck’s notes, these easements are required for the Alma Avenue Roundabout project, which city staff is still optimistic can be ready for bid this fall. An easement is still needed from the former Starbucks property.
An amendment to the municipal code regarding possession of use of mind, or mood altering substances was passed. According to Bureck’s notes, city staff recently realized the current ordinances, as presently written, did not include substances such as marijuana (since it has become legal), Kratom or 7-OH, both available through retail sales and legal for consumption. The amendment provides clarification that employees may not use or possess such substances while working or on city property.
Pay requests from Putz construction were accepted for work on the Vincentian Way Shared Use Path Phase II, and the Edgemont Blvd. Shared Use Path. Both projects are also supported by grants from the Missouri Department of Transportation.
A request for a traffic study relative to pedestrian crossing at the intersection of South Main Street and Campus Drive near the PCSD #32 middle school campus was approved. According to Buerck’s notes, this study was suggested by the board as a review of what was done in the past. Prior to PCSD #32 having multiple school resource officers, the police department would provide crossing services before and after school. This has not been done for several years, and the board would like to know if it is warranted or necessary based on current pedestrian levels.
The next board of aldermen meeting will be October 20 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
