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Session 1684, Minutes December 16, 1996 Page 8 Council has copies of two documents that were submitted to the Traffic Commission--a complaint letter and a summary of petition signatures. Mr. Sterbenz said his group was requesting, when the bridge on Pennsylvania at Vernon is reopened, that Pennsylvania (a public street) be made one-way northbound from Cornell to Vernon. They are concerned about an increase in traffic when the new shopping center adjacent to their private subdivision is built. He said University City Police Chief Payne informed the Traffic Commission that when this bridge was closed, crime in their subdivision was drastically reduced. It was thought that if Pennsylvania remains two-way, shoppers from the center will cut through their subdivision trying to get to Delmar. He said 497 residents, representing 84.5% of the homes in the subdivision, signed the petition asking that Pennsylvania be one-way north, and the Traffic Commission voted to support this request. A_~er the petitions were obtained, it was discovered that an official state document required that any ordinance impacting the new bridge must be approved by the State and Federal Highway Commissions, since money from both sources was used to rebuild the bridge. Missouri Traffic Commission member Cheryl Ball informed him that the City could pass an ordinance making this section of Pennsylvania one-way, subject to approval by the State and Federal commissions. She also stated that State and Federal approval would be likely if it was shown that current traffic patterns would not be disrupted, that Pennsylvania does not connect two major arteries, that change and dates are in place that legally would prevent such a pattern, that the Police Chief favors the plan, and that residents are overwhelmingly in favor of the plan. His group would like a councilmember to introduce a bill mak- ing Pennsylvania one-way. Mrs. Thompson asked if that was possible. Mr. Ollendorff said the main problem would be that citizens would not have full use of Pennsylvania. Responding to Mrs. Thompson, Mayor Adams said the Council must do what's best for the entire City; also, he was not sure an ordinance with an escape clause could be approved, suggesting it was better to obtain permission before a bill is introduced. Mr. Ollendorffsaid he would contact the proper authorities for further information. Mr. Tim McHale, 7206 Colgate, said he belonged to a soccer club in University City, and was concerned that a corporation or group with large funds could co-opt time in the recreation facility, and the smaller soccer or other clubs would not be able to use the facility as much as they would like. He noted that many schools do not have soccer teams, and his group would like to expand the soccer program to include those schools in using the recreation facility. He asked if it was possible for University City teams to have priority over non-residential users. Mr. Ollendorff said resident teams are always given preference and he asked that the group send a letter with broad outlines of what their needs are. Mr. Gary Jensen, 706 Pennsylvania, said there is a great deal of reverberation and echo in the sound system and perhaps the speakers are feeding into the new microphones, causing too much feedback. He suggested the speakers be put in front of the microphones. Mayor Adams said the speakers are needed behind the podium so the Council may hear what those addressing the Council are saying, however, he said he would have the sound people look into the problem. Mr. Ollendorff said in addition to the new microphones, there were other recommendations from the sound experts which will cost close to $4,000. BILLS FOR SECOND AND THIRD READINGS BILL NO. 8305 - AMENDING CHAPTER 1 MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO GENERAL PRO-