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CORTLAND -- Police Chief David Morris submitted the first reading of two ordinances at Monday's council meeting regarding the locations of no parking areas on city streets.
The ordinances prevent parking in 12 locations, including on Portal, Hillman, Pearl, North High, Erie and Natale streets.
"We've had many different parking complaints," Morris said. "This particular ordinance is going to address Diamond Way, between Fowler Street and Ruby Lane. We get a lot of complaints because of the bends in the road and close proximity to the intersections. And it does create quite a danger. I think it being a slow-speed road is why we've escaped traffic crashes."
The full list of areas receiving restrictions also includes Wakefield Drive, both north and south side, in its entirety; and Lakeview Drive, both east and west side, from Portal to Greenbriar.
The ordinance received a unanimous vote for a second reading, where residents will be invited to discuss their thoughts. Some residents already have asked council members and Morris why they shouldn't take matters into their own hands to try to sway others from parking in dangerous spaces.
"I've come to learn over the years that if I don't have a law to back me, it's better not to try to get into some sort of confrontation," Morris explained. "So this is going to make that entire stretch of roadway no parking. It does just become a parking violation like anything else. I know there are other parking issues that need addressed in the city, but this is kind of an urgent situation that we need to get resolved so no one gets hurt."
The second ordinance states, "No person shall stand or park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or to comply with the provisions of this traffic code, or while obeying the directions of a police officer or a traffic control device, within 125 feet of any intersection on either side of the street, except roadways marked for public parking; within 125 feet of any curve in the roadway on either side of the street except roadways marked for public parking."
Both ordinances will receive three readings before a final vote.
FIRE DEPARTMENT GRANTS
The city also passed a resolution to create a special revenue fund with money from an Ohio Ambulance Transportation Program grant. Awarded $20,000 through the grant, fire Chief David Rea said, "We are in the process of developing a policy for it." The fire department also met with a vendor for new ambulances and the refurbishing of ambulances through 2025. Rea also received an award from the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association.
"Chief Rea deserves congratulations," Mayor Deidre Petrosky said. "He earned the Ohio Fire Chief credential as witnessed by a team of his peers. He has demonstrated, through his education, experience, and community leadership and fire service management skills, that he possesses the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities required by a firefigher, to be a service leader in the State of Ohio."
The uniformed credential and certificate involves the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association and the Ohio Fire and Emergency Services Foundation identifying the need to further enhance the professionalism of chief fire officers throughout the state. The goal of the program is to develop and promote assistance to chiefs in Ohio.