§ 17-2. Traffic committee; regulation of traffic generally.

(a)

There shall be and hereby is created a traffic committee, appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the mayor and board of aldermen, and consisting of, at a minimum, one (1) representative of the following departments: Police, public works, planning and community development, personnel, water and light, and such other members as deemed necessary by the mayor and board of aldermen.

(b)

The traffic committee, except as otherwise directed by this chapter, and, except as otherwise directed from time to time by the mayor and board of aldermen, shall make recommendations to the mayor and board of aldermen with respect to the operation and parking of vehicles within the city by the erection or placing of signs, signals, markers, markings and other traffic-control devices at such places in the city and at such times as they deem most expedient for the regulation of traffic on the streets and public ways of the city which would be in the best interest of the safety and welfare of the city; provided, however, no such signs, signals, markers, markings or devices shall be in conflict with this Code or any ordinance of the city.

(c)

The traffic committee's powers to make recommendations shall not be limited by, but shall include the following:

(1)

Designation of areas where parking is prohibited or limited.

(2)

Designation of one-way streets, through streets, stop streets, play streets, school zones, hospital zones, quiet zones, crosswalks, and safety zones.

(3)

Installation and proper timing and maintenance of traffic-control devices.

(4)

Marking off of traffic lanes indicating the flow of traffic.

(5)

Closing of streets to vehicular or pedestrian traffic for a temporary period of time.

(6)

Regulation of traffic during emergencies notwithstanding other regulations.

(7)

Designation of bus stops and taxi stands.

(d)

The existence of such signs, signals, markers or markings at any place within the corporate limits of the city shall be prima facie evidence that such signs or markers were erected or placed by and at the direction of the chief of police and in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(e)

Any person failing or refusing to comply with the directions indicated on any sign or marker erected or placed in accordance with the provisions of this section when so placed or erected shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished as provided in section 1-8 of this Code.