City workers place new stop signs on Mineral Avenue

The stop signs are up.

According to a post on the Libby Police Department’s Facebook page, city workers installed new stop signs Dec. 24 on Mineral Avenue at the intersections of Sixth Street and Fourth Street.

The stop signs mean both intersections are four-way stops.

“Make sure we all come to a complete stop at all stop signs and stop lights!!! Stay Safe!,” Libby Police Chief Cody Ercanbrack said in the post.

In an email to The Western News, Ercanbrack said officers were giving warnings to motorists they stopped.

"After the signs were put up on Christmas Eve, Officer Luthey and I noticed that very few people were stopping. We patrolled between the two stop signs on Mineral Avenue and conducted 25 traffic stops," Ercanbrack said. "Our intention and goal were to raise awareness of the signs. The signs are a new change, and it will take time for people to get used to them. That being said it is still the responsibility of the driver to be aware of the constant changes of the roadway. The same as visiting a new town we are still expected to obey the traffic laws despite not knowing the area or where the signs are. This is a good reminder for all of us to make sure we are paying attention while driving and not putting ourselves into autopilot while we drive through our hometown."

Ercanbrack also said there is no specific grace period for how long warnings will be issued.

"Every traffic stop is different and the decision to cite a driver or not will be left to the officer’s discretion based on the totality of the circumstances," Ercanbrack said. "The purpose of traffic stops is to change behavior not to punish or generate revenue. Officers are able to do that through educating the driver about traffic laws and the safety concerns attached to them. This is accomplished through verbal warnings, written warnings and citations. Every situation is different and it's up to the judgement of the officer to determine the best way to encourage the driver to drive in a safer manner."

Libby City councilors approved a number of new traffic restrictions during a Dec. 2 meeting aimed at making Mineral Avenue a safer place for pedestrians and motorists.

Council members unanimously supported placing stop signs at the intersections of Fourth and Sixth streets on the one-half mile thoroughfare. They also approved a reduction in the speed limit from 25 miles per hour to 20 mph from Eighth Street to First Street.

Councilors heard a lot of discussion about stop signs, lowering speed limits and crosswalks at the Nov. 18 meeting. City Streets Department Supervisor Justin Williams previously said repainting the crosswalks was planned for 2025.

While stop sign placement on Mineral Avenue may have dominated the Dec. 2 meeting, it was far from the only notable topic.

Councilors approved the first reading of a few other ordinances of note and gave final approval at the Dec. 16 meeting.

One ordinance includes prohibiting defecating and urinating in public places.

Citing an increase in these incidents and to protect public health and safety, the city hopes to reduce the behavior.

The ordinance states, “It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit or cause to be deposited, any human waste material on any public street, sidewalk, parking lot, alley, park, or other public place or any private property upon which the public is admitted by easement or license (other than a public toilet or restroom designed to receive waste material), or in any place exposed to public view.”

Human waste material was defined as human urine or human fecal matter discharged from the body.

One local business man expressed concern at the Dec. 2 meeting about possible ramifications beyond being cited.

“If someone steps out of a bar and urinates, does that become a sexual crime where the person would have to be registered?” He asked.

Chief Ercanbrack said it would not.

The ordinance also included a few exemptions. One is for people with verified medical conditions who would not be subjected to enforcement. The other includes, “if the act of urinating is on private property not open to public view.”

Those convicted of violating the ordinance would face a minimum $185 fine. The ordinance will be effective 30 days from Dec. 16.

One of the other ordinances given final approval deals with misdemeanor parking violations.

Councilor Ian Smith voted against the ordinance.

The city decided it should have a graduated fine schedule for parking violations. Previously, the fine was determined by officers writing the citations.

After some questions by the public, city attorney Dean Chisholm said there is no possibility of incarceration for parking offenses.

The new penalties are $25 for the first offense, $50 for a second offense, $75 for a third and $100 for a fourth. The only exception is parking in a handicapped space is a $100 fine.

There are several parking violations, including no parking at certain times, at all times, 15-minute zones, parking too long on the street, parking on private property, obstructing traffic, in alleys, in loading zones, freight loading zones and during snow removal.

For a complete list, check with the city.

    "Be Prepared to Stop" signs are placed on Mineral Avenue in Libby, alerting motorists to the new stop signs at the intersections of Fourth and Sixth streets. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)