This Week at City Hall

May. 10, 2013Office of Council Member Ellen Cohen

Safe Passage Ordinance Approved

Biking around the city just got a little easier!  Council approved a Safe Passing Ordinance, which is designed to protect vulnerable road users such as bicyclists, pedestrians, and stranded motorists, from passing vehicles. Motorists must now maintain a minimum distance of 3 feet when passing, and 6 feet when trailing these vulnerable road users.

On the Agenda

A program that seeks to encourage participation of small, minority, and women owned businesses in city contracts received an update.  Though women owned businesses were temporarily removed from the program in 2009 pending a lawsuit, Council approved their reinstatement as a result of a comprehensive construction industry disparity study. The citywide participation goal for construction projects was also increased from 22% to 34%.

What’s Happening in the Annex

Due to severe weather expected on Saturday morning, Council Member Cohen received an important notice that the timeline for the 26th Annual Art Car Parade been changed. The parade route will now open to the public at 1:00pm, at which point the Free Press Summer Fest Stage will also open. The Parade will commence at 3:00pm from Allen Parkway at Taft St, and lasts approximately two hours.