The Board of Aldermen approved an ordinance Thursday night allowing speed cameras in school zones.

They voted 4-1 to approve it, with Alderman C. Paul Smith opposed.

The city will still need to request bids for the cameras and approve an operating contract, as well as select locations, before the cameras can be put in place.

It is unlikely that those actions will occur before the newly elected board takes office in December, aldermen said during Thursday's meeting.

Speeders must be going at least 12 mph over the speed limit to get a ticket. For the first 30 days speed cameras are in place, warnings will be issued. After that, tickets would be $40 each, with no points assessed on the driving record.

Under the approved ordinance, Frederick city's police chief and the public works director will have sole discretion over which school zones will have speed cameras, and the location of the speed cameras within them.

A previous version of the ordinance had given that power to the mayor, with guidance from the police chief and public works director.

Smith argued that he would have liked to see the aldermen or mayor involved in the process rather than leave it up to city departments.

"I believe there's going to be a lot of response both directions to this," Smith said. "I think it ought to be put in there that we retain control."

He added that he would prefer fewer cameras, but in mobile locations so that a fear of speeding will be instilled.

"I have no idea how many we're putting out," Smith said. "In my mind, I was looking for a handful that would move around. I would prefer to do that type of implementation first and see what happens."

Other aldermen replied that the elected officials would have a say when they reviewed bids and made purchasing decisions.

"This is simply enabling legislation to permit a future group of people to use this tool," said Alderwoman Donna Kuzemchak. "The fact is, even if we vote yes tonight, nothing's going to happen until, as you put it, this lame-duck board is out of here."

School zones are defined in state law as within half a mile of a school.

Most of the center section of the city falls within that definition, said Lt. Stephen Tuel.

Mayor Jeff Holtzinger said that he expects the city would make a "boatload of cash" if it put speed cameras along Key Parkway or Shookstown Road.

The purpose should be directed toward public safety, but he said people should be going no more than 12 mph over the speed limit there anyway.

Before a speed camera is installed, the city will add signs saying there is a camera in that school zone, as well as advertising in the newspaper and on the city website, Tuel said.

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