Maplewood City Council faced a 27-item agenda and a closed session Tuesday night. Seven ordinances received first and second readings, three bills were approved, the council heard two presentations and presented an award of excellence to police sergeant, Michael Martin.
By unanimous vote the council approved a bill for final reading which would allow police to pull a vehicle over for the “sole purpose of issuing a citation for violation of the city’s seat belt ordinance.”
Also passed was a bill that makes it illegal to sell electronic cigarettes and vaporizing products to people under the age of 18.
During the public comments, Maplewood resident Jennifer Suits supported the bill and said, “These products are meant to be adult products.” She went on to urge the council to consider enforcement. She said that possession is hard to enforce because some of the products do not contain nicotine.
The council also approved a bill that makes the stop sign at Sutton Boulevard and Marietta Avenue permanent.
The council heard a presentation by Chesterfield police Chief Ray Johnson of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). After three years of work, the Maplewood Police Department was accredited by the agency becoming only the 11th department in the St. Louis metro area to receive the distinction.
“This is a stamp of approval,” said Johnson. “But this is not a rubber stamp, I assure you.”
After receiving the certificate, Mayor James White presented an award of distinction to Maplewood Police sergeant Michael Martin for his years of effort to help the department win accreditation. For more on the accreditation and Sgt. Martin’s award, click here.
During council communication, Councilman Barry Greenberg suggested Maplewood consider enacting a ban on texting while driving. Council members acknowledged that “a good majority” of people dial and talk on cell phones while behind the wheel but felt texting and driving presented a larger hazard as drivers take their eyes off the road longer while writing and sending texts. City Manager, Marty Corcoran agreed to find and send similar, model ordinances to the council for consideration.
Doug Kassabaum’s request for a conditional use permit to open an art gallery next to the Stone Spiral and Nate Larson’s request for a conditional use permit to open Living Room, a coffee shop, on Sutton were among the ordinances receiving first and second readings. Both items are set to receive final readings at the next council meeting.
What about texting when the car is stopped at a red light? I’ve been known to type a partial sentence (business-related) when the car is stopped, but then stop texting when the light turns green. Then wait to finish when the car is stopped again. Not while the car is moving.
Gary – that’s fine with me as long as you can watch for the light to turn green at the same time.
Gary, Lets assume that you are not texting at a stop light. What do you do? Look out the windshield, look around, look in the rear view mirror to see a speeding car coming at you, not slowing down? BTW, the driver of the car about to hit you is texting.
Not only should we have an anti-texting law, lets add in anti-kids(has to be near the top of distractions), anti-animals running freely in your vehicle, anti-eating, anti-changing your radio, adjusting your heat/ac. How about this so everyone is clear. Hands at the 10 and 2 mark or your pulled over and given a citation.
On the subject of getting a citation for no seat belt, what has caused this to be a concern in Maplewood. Has any studies been done to determine what gain the citizens can expect from this. What has happened recently that has our city officials feel they need to pass a law on seat belts. Since it is a safety issue, I can call state farm and get a lower rate. right?
OK, “thisnthat” do your comments mean you text and drive and do not feel you are putting others in danger by doing so? Are there any rules, aka laws, that you feel drivers should be required to follow?
I believe that not only should an anti-texting law be a city law, but a state and possibly a federal law. Police officers should also have the authority to check phones for text messages that might have been in progress at the time of any accident. I have no affiliation with any law enforcement agency, so this is just a logical and common sense suggestion. We drive a tall vehicle and can see all this going on. It is appalling just how much it is done. These irresponsible idiots are in the same class as drunk drivers. It is an equal problem and should carry the same penalties.
I expect that those who disagree with doing something proactive are the very ones who are texting. You know who you are!