A portable radar detection speed board is being utilized by the Manawa Police Department (MPD).
According to Police Chief David Walker, pole brackets have been installed at 1112 Depot St., 530 Union St., and 457 N. Bridge St.
“The goal in using the speed board is to remind motorists to become more aware of posted speed limits and to encourage them to voluntarily self-discipline their speeds,” Walker reported to the Manawa Common Council at its Oct. 25 meeting. “We have had very favorable feedback.”
“I do think the speed board will help,” agreed council President Bob Lieberman.
“It makes you slow down a little bit,” commented Alderwoman Alice Brown.
Walker said the MPD plans to purchase more brackets so the speed board can be moved to different locations around the city.
Data collected from the speed board is used to analyze speed patterns over time periods in different locations and to determine when speeding is most often taking place.
“It helps us to be more efficient in deciding the best time to deploy radar enforcement,” Walker explained.
One 24-hour cycle showed 90 percent of drivers traveling at acceptable speeds and 10 percent traveling well above – over 10 mph – over the posted speed.
“We have to keep in mind that these figures are skewed when we have the occasional emergency vehicle traveling through this location,” Walker said. “During this test period, we easily detected violation spikes above the speed limit that correspond to local factory shift changes, especially at 2 p.m. Consequently, this tells us when we should deploy patrol for radar enforcement.”
In other business, the council approved a resolution to update building permit and inspection fees. Included are plumbing, furnace and air conditioner installations. Failure to obtain permit prior to starting work will result in double fees.
City Clerk Cheryl Hass noted that the city’s fees have not changed since 2002. Manawa’s fees are now comparable to surrounding municipalities.
Dam work will begin in about two weeks, according to Director of Public Works Frank Jaeger. “We’re hoping to get it fixed this year,” he reported.
The council also:
•Approved carryover of vacation days for a city employee.
•Named Alderwoman Mary Eck to the committee to work with Little Wolf.
•Approved a Class B beer license for Masonic Lodge No. 82.
•Approved operator’s licenses for William C. Mollica and Thomas R. Squires.