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RESOLUTION NO. R-1314-50: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, APPROPRIATING $30,630 FROM THE GENERAL FUND BALANCE TO REPLACE TRAFFIC SIGNAL EQUIPMENT THAT WAS DAMAGED DURING CONSTRUCTION AND TRAFFIC COLLISIONS.
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BACKGROUND: The City’s Traffic Control Division maintains more than 170 traffic and pedestrian signals citywide using $85,000 in the Division’s operating budget (approximately $500 per signalized intersection per year). These funds are used for the purchase of the various replacement traffic signal system components necessary for the safe and efficient operation of our traffic signals.
On February 8, 2013, B&H Construction was working in an area near the southeast corner of the Lindsey Street and Pickard Avenue intersection. As a result of this work, a pedestrian signal head was damaged. B&H Construction accepted responsibility for those damages. City forces repaired the damage to the traffic signal.
On February 18, 2013, a traffic collision at the intersection of Jenkins Avenue and Imhoff Road resulted in damages to the pedestrian crossing equipment at this signalized intersection. The responsible driver was identified and the insurance company information obtained for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at the intersection.
On August 10, 2013, a traffic collision at the intersection of Classen Boulevard and Imhoff Road resulted in severe damage to the traffic signal cabinet at this new traffic signal installation. The responsible driver was identified and the insurance company information obtained for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at the intersection utilizing the last spare cabinet in our inventory.
On April 30, 2013, a $566.16 check was collected from the insurance company for the responsible party for the collision at the Jenkins Avenue intersection with Imhoff Road. On August 5, 2013, a $339.66 check was collected from B&H Construction for the damage sustained at the Lindsey Street intersection with Pickard Avenue. On September 17, 2013, a $29,723.66 check was collected from the insurance company for the responsible party for the collision at the Classen Boulevard intersection with Imhoff Road. All three checks, totaling $30,629.48 were deposited into account 043-0000-367.12-64, Miscellaneous Risk Management.
DISCUSSION: The recent and unusually high number of traffic collisions involving damage to traffic control signal equipment has depleted 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 the two replacements units and needs to access the funds collected from the insurance companies in order to do so.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of a $30,629.48 (from all three settlements) appropriation of funds from Risk Management Fund Balance (account 043-0000-253.20-00) to General Fund Traffic Signal Parts (account 010-5023-429.32-12). These funds will be used for the purchase of a traffic signal controller cabinet assembly, video detection camera equipment, and miscellaneous traffic signal equipment.