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RESOLUTION NUMBER 7450 A RESOLUTION OF THE MISSOULA CITY COUNCIL TO DETERMINE AND DECLARE A REASONABLE AND SAFE PRIMA FACIE SPEED LIMIT OF 30 MILES PER HOUR ON THE PORTION OF WEST GREENOUGH DRIVE THAT IS CURRENTLY POSTED 35 MILES PER HOUR BETWEEN CHERRY GULCH AND LOLO STREET AND THE PORTION OF RATTLESNAKE DRIVE BETWEEN MISSOULA AVENUE AND CREEK CROSSING ROAD. WHEREAS, in April 2008 the City Council requested that the City Public Works Department (Department) conduct a traffic engineering safety and speed study to evaluate potential reductions to the posted speed limits on West Greenough Drive and Rattlesnake Drive in the Rattlesnake Valley; and WHEREAS, the Department completed a traffic engineering safety and speed study in August 2008 in accordance with State regulations; and WHEREAS, in May 2009 the Department reported to the City Council Public Works Committee that the average speeds ranged from 30 to 35 miles per hour and the 85th percentile speed ranged from 35 to 40 miles per hour; and WHEREAS, the traffic engineering safety and speed study documented other considerations including accident frequency and type, wildlife occurrences, school zones and road character such as the lack of consistent curbs and sidewalks; and WHEREAS, the City Council is aware the Department documented the current posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour shows a close correlation to the observed 85th percentile operating speed, however other considerations in the Rattlesnake Valley as documented in the traffic engineering safety and speed study cause the City Council to consider setting a lower speed limit; and, WHEREAS, the traffic engineering safety and speed study conducted by the Department concluded that most collector roads in the City have a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour; and, WHEREAS, Missoula Municipal Code 10.18.020 authorizes in part, "Whenever the City Engineer or City Council determines upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that any prima facie speed set forth in this section is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist at any intersection or other place or upon any part of a street or highway, the City Council may determine and declare a reasonable and safe prima facie speed limit thereat which shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected at such intersections or other place or part of the street or highway." NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Missoula City Council determines and declares the reasonable and safe prima facie speed limit on the portion of West Greenough Drive that is currently posted 35 miles per hour between Cherry Gulch and Lolo Street and the portion of Rattlesnake Drive between Missoula Avenue and Creek Crossing Road shall be 30 miles per hour. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 20th day of July, 2009. ATTEST: APPROVED: Martha L. Rehbein John Engen Martha L. Rehbein John Engen City Clerk Mayor