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RESOLUTION NO. R-1415-8: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, APPROPRIATING $22,159.91 RECEIVED FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM THE RISK MANAGEMENT FUND BALANCE TO REPAIR AND REPLACE TRAFFIC SIGNAL EQUIPMENT AND STREET SIGNS DAMAGED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS .
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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. In addition, the Division also maintains approximately 30,000 traffic control signs throughout the City of Norman using $50,000 in the Division’s operating budget (approximately $1.67 per sign per year). These funds are used for the purchase of the various replacement sign components necessary for the safe and efficient navigation of our roadways. When a traffic signal is damaged from a collision, it is generally repaired by City forces before funds have been collected from the responsible party. The Legal Department pursues payment for the damage from either the responsible party or his or her insurance company and upon collection, these funds are deposited into the Miscellaneous Risk Management revenue account.
On March 21, 2012, a traffic collision occurred on I-35 near the Robinson Street exit causing damage to a roadway luminaire. The responsible driver was identified and the insurance company information obtained for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at the intersection. On March 17, 2014, a $2,156.23 check was collected from the insurance company for the responsible party for the collision at this location. The check was deposited into the Miscellaneous Risk Management revenue account.
On June 5, 2013, a traffic collision near the intersection of Tecumseh Road and 24th Avenue NE resulted in damages to a sign assembly. The responsible driver was identified and the insurance company information obtained for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On February 4, 2014, a $128.33 check was collected from the insurance company for the responsible party at this intersection. The check was deposited into the Miscellaneous Risk Management account.
On June 8, 2013, a traffic collision near the intersection of 108th Avenue SE and Alameda Drive resulted in damages to a sign assembly. The responsible driver was identified and the insurance company information obtained for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On February 10, 2014, a $193.66 check was collected from the insurance company for the responsible party at this intersection. The check was deposited into the Miscellaneous Risk Management account.
On June 14, 2013, a traffic collision at the intersection of 24th Avenue NW and Mt. Williams Drive resulted in damages to a street light near 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 February 18, 2014, a $1,913 check was collected from the insurance company for the responsible party for the collision at this intersection. The check was deposited into the Miscellaneous Risk Management account.
On August 7, 2013, a traffic collision near the intersection of 12th Avenue NE and Indian Hills Road resulted in damages to a sign assembly. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On March 13, 2014, a $161 check was collected from the responsible party at this intersection. The check was deposited into the Miscellaneous Risk Management account.
On August 13, 2013, a traffic collision near the intersection of 12th Avenue NW and Indian Hills Road resulted in damages to a sign assembly. The responsible driver was identified and the insurance company information obtained for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On March 13, 2014, a $191.92 check was collected from the insurance company for the responsible party at this intersection. The check was deposited into the Miscellaneous Risk Management account.
On October 12, 2013, a traffic collision near the intersection of 24th Avenue SE and Beaumont Drive resulted in damages to a sign assembly. The responsible driver was identified and the insurance company information obtained for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On February 18, 2014, a $122.51 check was collected from the insurance company for the responsible party at this intersection. The check was deposited into the Miscellaneous Risk Management account.
On October 18, 2013, a traffic collision near the intersection of 24th Avenue SE and Cedar Lane Road resulted in damages to a sign assembly. The responsible driver was identified and the insurance company information obtained for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On February 17, 2014, a $152.22 check was collected from the insurance company for the responsible party at this intersection. The check was deposited into the Miscellaneous Risk Management account.
On October 28, 2013, a traffic collision near the intersection of Robinson Street and Porter Avenue resulted in damages to a sign assembly. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On February 10, 2014, a $140.58 check was collected from the responsible party at this intersection. The check was deposited into the Miscellaneous Risk Management account.
On November 9, 2013, a traffic collision near the intersection of Constitution Street and Decatur Avenue resulted in damages to a sign assembly. The responsible driver was identified and the insurance company information obtained for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On February 4, 2014, a $152.76 check was collected from the insurance company for the responsible party at this intersection. The check was deposited into the Miscellaneous Risk Management account.
On December 21, 2013, a traffic collision near the intersection of Franklin Road and 48th Avenue NW resulted in damages to a sign assembly. The responsible driver was identified and the insurance company information obtained for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On February 18, 2014, a $108.70 check was collected from the insurance company for the responsible party at this intersection. The check was deposited into the Miscellaneous Risk Management account.
On January 27, 2014, a traffic collision near the intersection of Ed Noble Parkway and Lindsey Street resulted in damages to a sign assembly. The responsible driver was identified and the insurance company information obtained for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On February 17, 2014, a $189.33 check was collected from the insurance company for the responsible party at this intersection. The check was deposited into the Miscellaneous Risk Management account.
On March 4, 2014, a traffic collision near the intersection of Fillmore Avenue and Jefferson Street resulted in damages to a sign assembly. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On April 14, 2014, a $325.84 check was collected from the responsible party at this intersection. The check was deposited into the Miscellaneous Risk Management account.
On March 16, 2014, a traffic collision at the intersection of Porter Avenue and Tecumseh Road resulted in damages to signal pole and equipment mounted on this pole. The responsible driver was identified and the insurance company information obtained for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at the intersection. On May 12, 2014, a $15,898.90 check was collected from the insurance company for the responsible party at this intersection. The check was deposited into the Miscellaneous Risk Management account.
On March 21, 2014, a traffic collision near the intersection of 36th Avenue NW and Tecumseh Road resulted in damages to a sign assembly. The responsible driver was identified and the insurance company information obtained for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On May 12, 2014, a $145.10 check was collected from the insurance company for the responsible party at this intersection. The check was deposited into the Miscellaneous Risk Management account.
On March 25, 2014, a traffic collision near the intersection of 36th Avenue SW and Lindsey Street resulted in damages to a sign assembly. The responsible driver was identified and the insurance company information obtained for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On May 12, 2014, a $179.83 check was collected from the insurance company for the responsible party at this intersection. The check was deposited into the Miscellaneous Risk Management account.
DISCUSSION: The recent and unusually high number of traffic collisions involving damage to traffic control 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 replacements units and needs to access the funds collected from the insurance companies in order to do so.
Funds collected to date for these incidents are $19,968.13 for damages to traffic signals and $2,191.78 for damages to traffic signs.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of a $19,968.13 (from all three signal and/or street light related settlements) appropriation of funds from Risk Management Fund balance (account 043-0000-253.20-00) to the General Fund, Traffic Signal Parts account (010-5023-429.32-12). These funds will be used for the purchase of replacements for the equipment damaged in the respective collisions. In addition, staff recommends approval of a $2,191.78 appropriation of funds (from all thirteen sign-related settlements) from Risk Management Fund balance (account 043-0000-253.20-00) to the General Fund, Traffic and Street Signs (account 010-5023-429.32-13). These funds will be used for the purchase of replacements for the equipment damaged in the respective collisions.