The newly placed radar and camera system in the school zone at the front of Greene County High School has mailed speeding tickets to almost 2,600 unhappy drivers in its first three months of operation, according to Greensboro Police Chief Rodricus Monford Sr.
At Tuesday night’s Greensboro City Council meeting, Monford explained, that during school hours – 6:30-8:30 a.m. and 1:30-3 p.m. on weekdays – the yellow lights are flashing, and the speed limit in front of the schools is 30 mph.
All other times the speed limit is 35 mph.
But Monford also said that, while there is a standard 10 mph grace limit given by Georgia police agencies, he has decided to have the cameras and radar system set to allow drivers up to 15 mph over the speed limit before citations are issued. The speed trap has generated $54,000 in revenue so far.
Assistant Chief Tommy Nelson reported that crime continues to decrease in the city. In the first part of the period October 2023 through January 2024, crimes against society were down 60%. Crimes against persons and property were down 29%. However, he said in the last part of the quarter, there were nine instances of car break-ins.
“These nine entering autos turned out to be one individual walking around on foot, taking advantage of vehicles unsecured. Unfortunately, one of our city council members’ car was insecure, and he took the opportunity to take items from there,” Nelson said.
He added that the person was arrested and later tied to other similar crimes.
Monford Introduced two new officers to the Greensboro Police Department. Officers Carter Cadwiellader and Marcus Callaway addressed the council and expressed how happy they were to be joining the force. Callaway is the son of Detective Major Calloway, who has been with GPD for 40 years.
Proposed sign ordinance
The city council also considered, on first reading, a new ordinance for signs within the city. It completely replaces the existing sign ordinance.
Among the changes are specific prohibition of signs that “depict obscenity” or “depict sexual conduct or sexually explicit nudity.”
The proposed ordinance also lays out specific guidelines relating to political signage during election cycles, which starts 150 days before an election and runs until 20 days after the election. The so-called Class 2 temporary signs are not limited to content or the number of signs allowed on one lot unless they pose a traffic hazard or create a nuisance.
Digital signs are also addressed by the proposed ordinance as Electronic Variable Message Center (EVMC) signs. The level of illumination is limited, and EVMC signs cannot “flash, blink or otherwise vary illumination. They cannot change their message more than once per 10 seconds, and motion picture-type images are not permitted.
One restriction in the proposed ordinance that may affect businesses in downtown Greensboro is the prohibition of “sidewalk, A-type, sandwich or curb-type signs.”
The last three pages of the 13-page document seek to justify the changes. It cites philosophical preferences, specific studies, and court cases that support the city’s move to completely replace the existing sign ordinance.
At Tuesday night’s meeting, there was some confusion among council members as to how they could suggest changes to the proposal. Mayor Corey Williams said council members would consider any proposed modifications at the next city council meeting.
However, the mayor continued to reference this as the “first reading” of the proposal, which means that the ordinance could be approved as soon as March 4.
Running water lines
Elsewhere, council members were told that city water lines currently under construction to serve the new Greene County Elementary School on Meadow Crest Road will be extended some 1,500 feet more than planned. Owners of the property east of the school site have indicated they would be willing to pay for the additional cost of adding the lines so they can have water.
A new pump station is planned to serve the school, a possible middle school, and as many as 300 homes. It currently is going to be located on school property but under the proposal would be moved further east, off school property. The council will consider the plan at a future meeting.
Other actions included:
Following a lengthy closed executive session, the council voted to eliminate all compensatory time for city employees.
After the meeting, Williams told the Lake Oconee News that the rule goes into effect immediately and that currently, no employee had any accumulated comp time.
Council members approved the annexation of 52 acres of land along Oconee Avenue for the construction of a 70-house workplace residential development.
The council agreed to remove term limits for members of the Historic Preservation Commission, which controls exterior changes to homes and businesses in the city’s historic district.
Commission members are currently limited to two three-year terms, but city Community Development Director Cail Hammons said that eliminating the limits would better ensure that qualified members would serve on the board.