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RESOLUTION NO. R-1314-117: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, APPROPRIATING $15,229 FROM THE CAPITAL FUND BALANCE TO PURCHASE TRAFFIC SIGNAL PARTS TO UPGRADE TRAFFIC SIGNALS AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF IMHOFF ROAD AND JENKINS AVENUE AND IMHOFF ROAD AND CHAUTAUQUA AVENUE TO BE REIMBURSED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA.
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BACKGROUND: The University of Oklahoma has plans to reconstruct a portion of Imhoff Road between Jenkins Avenue and Chautauqua Avenue. This portion of Imhoff Road was originally constructed by the University and remains under University ownership and maintenance. In January, 2014, Staff was first briefed about the project by Garver Engineers, the University’s consultant on this roadway improvement project. The construction sequencing to be utilized on this project will have one half of the existing roadway closed at a time. During one phase, all traffic (one lane in each direction) will be carried on the existing two westbound lanes, and the other phase will have all traffic (again, one lane in each direction) carried on the existing two eastbound lanes. Each end of this segment of Imhoff Road is controlled by existing traffic signals. The existing vehicle detection systems utilized at both of these intersections involves loops cut into the pavement. The University is scheduled to begin work on this project in April, 2014.
The existing vehicle detection loops will become largely ineffective during various phases of the traffic control sequencing. The result could be that multiple movements will be forced into operation under maximum timing intervals because there will be no vehicle detection available through the existing loop detectors. For example, during the phase when westbound traffic is carried on the existing eastbound lanes, the existing loop detectors, even if construction does not destroy them, would be unusable on the other side of the median. To combat this issue, staff approached the University regarding the installation of vehicle detection cameras on those intersection approaches impacted by the planned construction. This was determined to be the eastbound and westbound Imhoff Road approaches to Chautauqua Avenue and the eastbound Imhoff Road approach to Jenkins Avenue.
A proposal was sent by City staff to the University of Oklahoma on February 6, 2014, outlining a plan for the University to absorb the costs associated with the two intersection approaches at the Imhoff Road intersection with Chautauqua Avenue and for the University and the City to share costs at the Imhoff Road intersection with Jenkins Avenue. The University returned a signed acceptance of this proposal on March 12, 2014.
DISCUSSION: An estimate of probable cost for City forces to implement these changes was developed in concert with Econolite, Inc. Econolite is the distributor of the City’s video detection equipment. From the proposal accepted by the University of Oklahoma, the University will assume responsibility for $15,229 of the total $19,429 project cost. The City’s share of the total project cost ($4,200) will be for the camera to be used at the Jenkins Avenue intersection with Imhoff Road and will be taken from our parts inventory. Once the equipment has been received, the City will pay the Econolite invoice and then invoice the University of Oklahoma for payment of their share. In order to pay the original invoice to Econolite, an appropriation of $15,229 from the Capital Fund Balance will be needed. Once the invoice from the University of Oklahoma has been paid, these funds will be deposited into the Capital Fund Balance to replenish the amount of OU’s share of the appropriation.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of a $15,229 appropriation of funds from the Capital Fund Balance to Traffic Signal Parts (account 010-5023-429.32-12). These funds will be used for the traffic signal parts necessary to complete the upgrade to the existing traffic signals at Imhoff Road with Chautauqua Avenue and Imhoff Road at Jenkins Avenue. City staff will provide the labor necessary to install the parts and to implement all changes to the existing traffic signals. Once the parts have been received from our supplier, staff will invoice the University of Oklahoma to reimburse these funds to the Capital Fund Balance. If approved, this project will be completed by the middle of April, 2014.