HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 10280
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 10280
June 4, 2019
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Page 1 of 2
SUBJECT: AUTOMATED RED LIGHT CAMERA ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM
The purpose of this informal report is to provide information on the termination of the City of Fort
Worth (City) Automated Red Light Camera Enforcement Program (the Program). The
Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) operates 58 cameras at 44 intersections.
The Program improves intersection safety by incorporating engineering, education, and
enforcement countermeasures to reduce the number of crashes attributable to running red lights.
On July 31, 2007, the City Council approved M&C G-15801 to adopt an ordinance establishing
the Program. The City entered into a contract with American Traffic Solutions, Inc. (ATS) for
management services of the Program on August 15, 2007. Effective September 1, 2007, the
Texas Legislature added Chapter 707 of the Texas Transportation Code to codify the ability for
cities to operate photographic traffic signal enforcement programs.
Attempts were made over the last several legislative sessions to ban photographic traffic signal
enforcement programs, but were unsuccessful. This year, the Texas Legislature passed HB
1631 that prohibits cities from operating and issuing violations from a photographic traffic signal
enforcement system and repeals the applicable state law. The bill included a savings clause to
allow programs to continue unless the management contract, as it existed on May 7, 2019,
included a provision allowing for immediate termination in the event of adverse legislative action.
Like many cities, tagreement with ATS included an adverse legislation clause, which will
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agreement with ATS will terminate immediately once HB 1631 becomes effective.
The Governor has until June 16, 2019, to sign the bill, which will become effective immediately
upon his signature, or veto the bill. If the Governor neither signs nor vetoes the bill within the
allotted time, the bill becomes law. In this case, if the Governor does not sign HB 1631, the law
takes effect June 16, 2019, because it received two-thirds vote from the House and the Senate
and included the necessary language making it effective with such a vote. The City has alerted
ATS that the agreement will terminate immediately upon the effective date of the bill.
InFY2018, the Program received $9.6M in revenue, and after making a required payment to the
State Trauma Fund of $2.2M and paying program expenses, the City was able to retain $3.6M in
revenue to specifically fund traffic safety activities in the General Fund. These traffic safety
activities include the maintenance and service of traffic signage, pavement markings, traffic
signals, crosswalks, and intersection lighting. Beginning in FY2020, the City will determine how
these necessary activities will be supported in the General Fund and at what level, without the
offsetting revenue.
Additionally, the Program currently funds 3 full time positions to administer the Program, 2
administrative positions and 1 appointed hearing officer. The termination of the Program will
result in the Reduction in Force (RIF) of two positions, providing those employees a 30 day period
to work with Human Resources to assist with internal and/or external employment placement.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 10280
June 4, 2019
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Page 2 of 2
SUBJECT: AUTOMATED RED LIGHT CAMERA ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM
TPW will retain 1 full time employee through the end of the fiscal year to support with the
Program close out process. This staff person will work with ATS on an action plan to stop
operations of the Program on the effective date of the bill, and includes requiring ATS to stop
issuing violations, remove the equipment, and provide reports.
For more information, please contact TPW Assistant Director Tanya Brooks at (817) 392-7861.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS