Columbia median ordinance tabled to Feb. 2 City Council meeting
Nia Hinson
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia City Council members did not vote on a median ordinance as scheduled on Monday night.
Ward 3 Councilwoman Jacque Sample and Ward 5 Councilman Don Waterman told ABC 17 News on Monday afternoon that many council members were seeking more information from commissions.
Council members on Monday night voted 6-1 to table the issue until Feb. 2, with Waterman being the sole “no” vote.
The ordinance would regulate the use of medians, road crossings and islands by both motorists and pedestrians at intersections with speeds of 35 miles per hour or greater, average daily traffic volumes of 15,000 vehicles or greater, or where the median width is fewer than 6 feet wide.
If adopted, the ordinance will:
Prohibit crossing a major road anywhere except in a crosswalk, a pedestrian-control signal, or an intersection if those things aren’t available.
Prohibit being on a median fewer than 6 feet wide except when crossing the road.
Prohibit getting out of cars while in a traffic lane or within a major intersection.
Prohibit approaching cars on a major road unless the car is legally parked.
Prohibit people in vehicles from engaging with pedestrians at major intersections.
The council voted to table the ordinance, noting that they need more clarification on the ordinance.
Roughly 30 residents packed Columbia City Hall for Monday’s meeting speaking out about the issue. Most who spoke were in opposition of the ordinance, saying it takes away free speech and doesn’t address saefty, while few said they supported it.
However, those against it, like Luke Fennewald say the ordinance doesn’t target safety but rather criminalizes homelessness and panhandling.
“Most Americans live paycheck to paycheck, and I don’t think people realize how close we are to being homeless,” Fennewald said. “It just takes one unfortunate tragedy and you might find yourself in those folks’ positions.”
Luke Jensen is also an activist in the city, who says he has a deep caring for the homeless population, but also believes if passed, the ordinance would also restrict people from voicing their opinions.
“A lot of protesters use those same medians to demonstrate their political beliefs, and we believe that if this is passed, then it will also be a crackdown on our First Amendment,” Jensen said.
Sample had previously requested to hear more from the Human Rights Commission, Disabilities Commission, Public Transit Advisory Commission and the Bicycle/Pedestrian Commission. Sample also said medians typically attract homeless people, and some residents worry where those people will move to next..
Sample told ABC 17 News on Monday that if the council were to vote on the issue Monday night, she would not support the ordinance.
“I don’t think we can effectively address pedestrian safety with a single ordinance, so this isn’t the right way to do it,” Sample said before the meeting. “We need to address pedestrian safety but I don’t feel that this particular ordinance in front of us is the way for us to do that.”
Waterman said on Monday afternoon while he understands some council members desire to receive more information from various commissions, he believes they will not hear anything much different from what they’ve already heard. He said he anticipates the vote among council members will be to table the issue, but he is ready to vote “yes.”
“I think it’s a safety issue. I know there’s a lot of sentiment that it’s not a safety issue but it is in fact a safety issue. (Columbia Fire Department) Chief Schaeffer has mentioned that it is a concern while they’re responding,” Waterman said. “God forbid it gets voted down and then two, three, four months later we have someone standing in a median that gets run over…then we’ll be circling back to it.”
Ward 2 Councilwoman Vera Elwood and Ward 4 Councilman Don Waterman also told ABC 17 News that they supported tabling the issue.
The city said it plans to open a survey for residents to submit input to.