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intends to approach the City of Vero Beach to raise that speed <br />limit. <br />Mr. Charron stated that about two years ago they approached <br />the City of Vero Beach on this issue. He recently had a discussion <br />with Assistant County Attorney O'Brien and they thought it would be <br />better for the County to make that suggestion to the City. He <br />estimated that raising the speed limit would substantially reduce <br />the general time it takes to pass a crossing from about 3.5 minutes <br />at 25 miles per hour to 1 minute at 40 miles per hour. <br />Commissioner Scurlock wondered if the 40 mile -per -hour speed <br />limit is less safe, and Chairman Eggert thought that when there <br />were no whistles8 it may have been less safe. Attorney O'Brien felt <br />the 25 mile -per -hour speed limit is just a long-standing policy <br />that the City has not changed. <br />Commissioner Wheeler pointed out, and Commissioner Bowman <br />agreed that every crossing in Indian River County now has lights, <br />bells and arms coming down. <br />Commissioner Scurlock thought we should send the suggestion to <br />the City, but if there is a safety factor/ he would be opposed to <br />raising the speed limit. <br />Commissioner Bird felt the other side of the safety issue is <br />emergency vehicles waiting for trains to clear the crossings and <br />the higher speed limit might save lives by shortening that waiting <br />time. <br />Mr. Charron agreed to appear before the Vero Beach City <br />Council to make his presentation if the Board would send a letter <br />suggesting that the speed limit be raised. <br />ON MOTION by Commissioner Scurlock, SECONDED by <br />Commissioner Wheeler, the Board unanimously <br />authorized the Chairman to write a letter to the <br />City of Vero Beach suggesting the speed limit for <br />trains traveling through Vero Beach be increased <br />from 25 to 40 miles per hour, unless there is an <br />overriding safety consideration. <br />The Chairman determined that no one else wished to be heard <br />and thereupon closed the public hearing. <br />Commissioner Bird noted that the creation of the proposed <br />ordinance prohibiting the blocking of streets by railroad trains <br />and cars brought a reaction by the FEC. He suggested that we <br />table the ordinance, observe the railroad's operation for a while <br />and if it continues to be a problem, readdress that ordinance and <br />43 <br />BOOK <br />