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RESOLUTION R-1920-99: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, APPROPRIATING $21,167.86 RECEIVED FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM THE RISK MANAGEMENT MISCELLANEOUS REIMBURSEMENTS/REFUNDS ACCOUNTS TO REPAIR AND REPLACE DAMAGED TRAFFIC SIGNAL EQUIPMENT OR TRAFFIC SIGNS DAMAGED IN TRAFFIC COLLISIONS.
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BACKGROUND: The City’s Traffic Control Division maintains more than 170 traffic and pedestrian signals citywide using $105,291 in the Division’s operating budget (approximately $620 per signalized intersection per year). These funds are used for the purchase of replacement traffic signal system components needed for the safe and efficient operation of our traffic signals. In addition, the Division also maintains approximately 30,000 traffic control signs throughout the City of Norman using $44,480 in the Division’s operating budget (approximately $1.49 per sign per year). These funds are used for the purchase of the replacement sign components needed for the safe and efficient navigation of our roadways.
On June 4, 2019, a traffic collision occurred on the east side of Interstate 35 just north of Robinson Street causing damage to a street light pole. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at the location. On August 15, 2019, a $6,133.69 check was collected from the insurance company for the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On April 29, 2019, a traffic collision occurred on Denison Drive west of Berry Road causing damage to a Bike Route sign installation. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at the location. On August 26, 2019, a check in the amount of $188.02 was collected from the driver’s employment company for the damages. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On May 15, 2018, a traffic collision occurred at the intersection of Ann Branden Boulevard and Classen Boulevard causing damage to a Keep Right sign installation. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at the location. On September 3, 2019, a $188.98 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On August 25, 2019, a traffic collision occurred at the intersection of Miller Avenue and Emelyn Street causing damage to a Yield sign installation. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On September 17, 2019, a $224.08 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On May 18, 2019, a traffic collision occurred on the southeast corner of the Indian Hills Road intersection with North Interstate Drive causing damage to a STOP sign installation. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at the location. On December 17, 2019, a $252.63 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On July 9, 2012, a traffic collision occurred at the Porter Avenue intersection with Acres Street causing damage to the in-pavement crosswalk system at the intersection. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On December 20, 2019, a $1,483.15 check was collected from the Cleveland County District Attorney’s Office as settlement for the damages incurred. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On September 10, 2018, a traffic collision occurred in the center median of 24th Avenue NW north of Robinson Street causing damage to a One Way and No Left Turn sign installation. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces made repairs at the location. On January 13, 2020, a $276.28 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On September 24, 2019, a traffic collision occurred on the east side of Interstate 35 at the Robinson Street off-ramp causing damage to a street light pole. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On February 4, 2020, a $9,583.46 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On October 18, 2018, a traffic collision occurred at the Porter Avenue intersection with Indian Hills Road causing damage to a Stop sign installation. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On February 4, 2020, a $148.92 check was collected from the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On August 16, 2019, a traffic collision occurred on the intersection of 48th Avenue SE and State Highway 9 causing damage to a Stop sign installation. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces performed the necessary repairs at this location. On February 5, 2020, a $309.33 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On October 18, 2019, a traffic collision occurred on the intersection of Robinson Street and North Interstate Drive causing damage to a pedestrian pedestal pole assembly on the southeast corner of the intersection. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces performed the necessary repairs at this location. On February 10, 2020, a $1,129.44 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On October 25, 2018, a traffic collision occurred at the intersection of 60th Avenue NW and Robinson Street causing damage to three Chevron sign installations. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damages at this location. On February 18, 2020, a $321.41 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On July 9, 2019, a traffic collision occurred at 1015 Interstate Drive causing damage a Stop sign installation. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damages at this location. On February 18, 2020, a $206.27 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On November 3, 2019, a traffic collision occurred at the intersection of 12th Avenue East and Alameda Street causing a need for the delivery of barricades for the lengthy collision investigation. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces delivered, set-up, and retrieved the barricades. On February 18, 2020, a $480.92 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On August 3, 2019, a traffic collision occurred at the intersection of Rock Creek Road and Flood Avenue causing damage to the traffic signal pole on the northeast corner of the intersection. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damages at this location. On February 18, 2020, a $241.28 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
DISCUSSION: The continuing number of traffic collisions involving damage to traffic control equipment depletes the City’s inventory of spare units. Replacement units are necessary in order to address future emergency situations. The Division does not have adequate funding in its operating budget to purchase replacement units and needs to access the funds collected from the insurance companies in order to do so.
Funds collected to date from the previously described incidents total $18,571.02 for damages to traffic signal equipment and $2,596.84 for damages to traffic signs.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the approval of Resolution R-1920-99 for the appropriation of $18,571.02 from the Risk Management Fund, Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management Account (Org 439, Object 365264) to Traffic Signal Parts (account Org 10550223, Object 43212). These funds will be used for the purchase of replacements for the equipment damaged in the respective collisions. In addition, staff recommends the appropriation of $2,596.84 from the Risk Management Fund, Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management Account (Org 439, Object 365264) Traffic and Street Signs (account Org 10550223; Object 43213). These funds will be used for the purchase of replacements for the equipment damaged in the respective collision.