Jefferson County Council Draws Fire on Plan to Ban Red Light Cameras

Only two people spoke at Monday's Jefferson County Council public hearing about a proposed red light camera ban in the county, and both questioned why public hearings on were even being held.

Both were opposed to the potential ban.

The council is considering a bill to amend its traffic code that would ban red light cameras in the unincorporated portions of Jefferson County. The bill was introduced Jan. 24 by Third District County Councilman Bob Boyer.

A previous public hearing was Feb. 14 and only three people spoke in opposition to amending the traffic code; two in favor and one against.

Boyer’s bill was introduced following permission that was granted by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) for the county to install the cameras. The county's former three -member council approved the MoDOT ordinance last October. The new county council has already unanimously approved repealing MoDOT’s permission. 

Arnold’s Ward 1 City Councilman Christine Lang told the council she was confused why hearings were even being when it appears the county council has already made up its mind on the matter.

“I‘d like to ask why you’re still holding public hearings when this has already been sent to Senator McKenna. You guys have already signed off on a letter that was sent to him, yet there’s still public hearings,” Lang said. “I don’t believe you guys really care what the public has to say since you’ve all already made up your minds without it being on an agenda, without it being on a public hearing prior to the letter being sent without there being a vote.”

Lang was referring to a letter sent soon after the new council took office in January, to Missouri Sen. Ryan McKenna (D-22nd District) asking him to push for legislation banning red light cameras in all of Missouri.

Boyer said “it was important for the public to have the opportunity to express their opinion, for or against.”

“I’ve heard that is one of the staples of our republic,” Boyer said. “Obviously, if you have any information regarding red light cameras, you being on the city council of Arnold, that would give us any information, we’re happy to hear what you have to say. The reason we’re having three traffic code hearings is it’s a matter of state law. We’re all open to discussion of these issues.”

Lang reiterated her position that the council already signed a letter to McKenna, adding “which, by signing a letter and it not being in a public hearing, on an agenda, was a violation of the Sunshine law.”

To Boyer’s asking how she knew it was a violation of the Sunshine law, Lang said “because of the signatures on the letter that I had seen.”

When Boyer asked if she was an attorney, Lang responded “no, I’m not.”

“I wonder if you really do care what the pubic has to say because you’ve already sent this letter out,” Lang said. 

Lang also accused the council of breaking a contract with American Traffic Solutions (ATS) for red light cameras in Jefferson County.

However, a story showed ATS terminated the contract with the county on Feb. 8.

Arnold’s Ward 2 City Councilman, William A. Moritz, then told the council he also thought it had already “made up their minds on this issue and questioned why the public hearings were being held.

“All this that has been said didn’t really answer her question,” Moritz said.

County Councilman Teresa Terri Kreitler responded that state law requires they hold public hearings on the county’s proposed amendment to their traffic code.

“I am interested in hearing what the public has to say,” she said. “I have had constituents come to me and tell me what they think and how they feel. But, we are listening. I am listening to what people have to say and we are doing studies also, so there’s not been a vote by us at this point, as far as up or down.”

“As far as ATS, the way I understand it is they broke that contract, they withdrew it,” Kreitler said.

One last public hearing on the traffic code is scheduled during the council’s regular meeting at 6:30 p.m., March 14 in the Administration Center Assembly Room, 729 Maple Street in Hillsboro.