Council reviews draft ordinance requiring notification for street closures and traffic control

Struthers City Council reviewed a draft ordinance requiring persons or entities performing construction that blocks or closes certain city streets to notify the safety service director and follow any traffic-control measures the director determines necessary.

Law Director John said he received draft language, removed redundancies and narrowed the ordinance to require coordination with the safety service director for projects that block rights-of-way. "I got a draft ... there was just some redundancy ... I just narrowed it down," John said while introducing the measure.

Anthony, identified in the discussion as the safety service director, supported the draft and said coordination is intended to keep costs down for city projects and utilities and to ensure consistent traffic control. Council moved to bring the ordinance forward and a motion to do so was seconded; the record includes the motion and a second but does not show a final vote or adoption during the meeting.

Council members said the language clarifies what is needed when streets or intersections will be blocked for construction and confirmed the item will proceed through the committee and legislative readings. The law director and staff also noted they will prepare the ordinance in legal form for future readings.