I.C. holds off on traffic camera vote

IOWA CITY - The City Council put up a yield sign to red-light cameras at a meeting Tuesday night.

Instead of holding the first of three votes needed to approve an ordinance allowing the divisive traffic-enforcement measure, as was scheduled, the council decided to wait to move on the issue until next year, when three new members will take seats on the council.

The Gazette reported last week that those members-elect are split in their opinions of the cameras, but they have the potential to tip the balance of the council, which currently favors the devices.

The approval process was going to carry over into next year anyway, meaning the next City Council would have the final say on whether the red-light cameras go up.

For that reason, Connie Champion, the lone member of the current seven-member council to express outright opposition to cameras, made a motion to defer the vote until after the New Year.

“It seems foolish to me to use any more staff time on this until we know” what the votes are, she said.

Mike Wright cast the only vote against the motion. While the others voted for it, some council members still expressed their support for the cameras.

Terry Dickens said he was almost hit twice Tuesday by vehicles running red lights on Burlington Street.

“It's a very important thing for safety ... I don't care if the city makes money,” he said.

On Jan. 2, Wright, Regenia Bailey and Ross Wilburn will be replaced by Michelle Payne, Rick Dobyns and Jim Throgmorton, who won seats on the council in this month's election.

The three new members said in interviews they want to research the issue more, but Payne and Throgmorton said they are leaning toward opposing the cameras and Dobyns is leaning toward supporting them.

“I have not heard anybody (from the public) that has spoken about them in a positive light,” Payne said.

If their current stances hold, Payne, Throgmorton and Champion would be three votes against the cameras. Susan Mims said last night that she is “up in the air” on the issue.

The city requested proposals from vendors last month and plans to interview companies soon.