PDF: Red Bank Council
Defying recent Tennessee House efforts to limit traffic camera penalties statewide, the Red Bank city commission voted Tuesday to extend the city’s photo-enforcement contract with American Traffic Solutions for 12 years.
The 4-1 vote came one week after state lawmakers took early steps toward restricting the controversial method of traffic law enforcement.
“While I respect our state representatives, I do not agree with the way that the House of Representatives’ Transportation Committee is moving forward on its proposed moratorium,” said Red Bank City Manager Chris Dorsey.
Last Tuesday, the House Transportation Committee signed off on a two-year moratorium on installing new traffic cameras and renewing contracts with traffic camera suppliers. Committee members approved a striking policy rewrite that will be expanded into an omnibus bill. If passed, the legislation would tighten every aspect of the numerous programs across the state, making it more difficult for small municipalities to implement camera policy and limiting the amount of fines that can be levied against violators.
The measure still needs to pass the committee along with the full House and Senate before a bill can be sent for the governor’s signature. An added clause in the proposed moratorium exempts the current set of cameras on Hixson Pike’s “S-curves,” but no other Tennessee locations.
“I don’t want them sitting in the state Legislature saying ‘they’ll work on Hixson Pike, but not on Dayton Boulevard,'” said Commissioner Ruth Jeno.
Without the extension, Red Bank’s contract with ATS would have expired in 2011. Mr. Dorsey called the possible state restrictions “unfair” to Red Bank since other cities with lengthier contracts would not have to alter their deals. The contract has a termination clause for every three years. If the legislature decides to move forward with the moratorium, Red Bank is allowed to terminate the contract without financial penalty, according to city attorney Arnold A. Stulce Jr.
“We’re maintaining the status quo with a little better financial deal for Red Bank,” he said.
Vice Mayor Monty Millard provided the lone dissenting voice, lamenting the timing involved with the vote.
“I’m disappointed that the state legislature has put us in the position to make this difficult decision,” he said. “I’m all about safety, but we’ve gotten nothing but negative publicity about this.”
Red Bank’s cameras are posted next to traffic lights at three intersections with Dayton Boulevard: Ashland Terrace, Morrison Springs Road and Signal Mountain Boulevard. The cameras flash when drivers run red lights, speed through the intersections or fail to stop before turning right on red. Tickets then are sent to the homes of violators.
Last year, Red Bank collected more than $579,000 in revenue from the cameras, but more than 60 percent went to American Traffic Solutions. That left $222,105, most of which funded four city traffic employees and made up a budget shortfall in court fees. The final figure for “camera revenue” was $32,898, according to Mr. Dorsey.
“If my family is safer at an intersection because of them, I’m fine with them,” Commissioner Greg Jones said of the cameras.