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RESOLUTION R-2021-60: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, APPROPRIATING $19,327.30 FROM THE REFUNDS REIMBURSEMENTS MISCELLANEOUS RISK MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT RECEIVED FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES 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 January 17, 2020, a traffic collision occurred on North Interstate Drive north of Pheasant Run Road causing damage to a streetlight pole. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at the location. On August 11, 2020, a $5,207.07 check was collected from the insurance company for the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On February 23, 2020, a traffic collision occurred at the State Highway 9 intersection with Imhoff Road causing damage to a pedestrian pedestal pole assembly. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at the location. On August 12, 2020, a check in the amount of $1,159.34 was collected from the driver’s employment company for the damages. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On December 11, 2019, a traffic collision occurred near the intersection of 120th Avenue SE and Etowah Road causing damage to a Speed Limit 50 sign assembly. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at the location. On August 12, 2020, a $138.15 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On November 10, 2019, a traffic collision occurred at the 36th Avenue SE intersection with Post Oak Road causing damage to a STOP sign assembly. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On August 14, 2020, a $150.10 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On June 28, 2020, a traffic collision occurred near the intersection of State Highway 9 and 12th Avenue SE causing damage to a pedestrian crosswalk pole in the median on the east side of the intersection. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at the location. On August 18, 2020, a $1,279.12 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On December 22, 2019, a traffic collision occurred near 4304 Cannon Drive causing damage to a combination advance warning Traffic Circle and 15 MPH advisory speed plaque assembly. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On August 31, 2020, a $256.65 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party as partial payment from one of the two drivers. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On June 15, 2020, a traffic collision occurred at the Main Street intersection with Crawford Avenue causing damage to a DO NOT ENTER sign assembly. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at the location. On September 3, 2020, a $213.05 personal check was collected from the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On October 19, 2018, a traffic collision occurred at the Wylie Road intersection with Camden Way causing damage to a STOP sign assembly. The responsible drivers were identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On March 31, 2020, a $109.67 check was collected from one of the drivers (this was previously re-appropriated), and on May 8, 2020, a $47.00 was collected from the second driver (we are seeking re-appropriation of the second check). The second check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On July 10, 2019, a traffic collision occurred on 36th Avenue SE north of Cedar Lane Road causing damage to an Object Marker sign installation. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On September 9, 2020, a $185.026 check was collected from the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On July 8, 2020, a traffic collision occurred at the 24th Avenue NW intersection with Corporate Centre Drive causing damage to a pedestrian crosswalk signal pole on the northeast corner of the intersection. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On September 9, 2020, a $2,423.22 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible contractor. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On August 9, 2020, a traffic collision occurred at the intersection of 12th Avenue SE and Telluride Lane causing damage to a pedestrian pedestal pole assembly on the northeast corner of the intersection. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces performed the necessary repairs at this location. On September 17, 2020, a $812.10 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On August 20, 2020, a traffic collision occurred at the intersection of Main Street and Santa Fe Avenue causing damage to a DO NOT ENTER sign assembly as well as a Wayfinding sign installation. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces performed the necessary repairs to the DO NOT ENTER sign assembly at this location. However, the Wayfinding sign assembly must be fabricated and re-installed by the original contractor for the wayfinding project as staff is unable to fabricate this size of sign. On September 21, 2020, a $7,156.42 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On August 26, 2020, a traffic collision occurred at the intersection of 36th Avenue NW and Franklin Road causing damage to a STOP sign assembly on the northeast corner of the intersection. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces performed the necessary repairs at this location. On October 6, 2020, a $300.06 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 replacements 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 $10,880.85 for damages to traffic signal/street light equipment and $8,446.45 for damages to traffic signs.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the approval of Resolution R-2021-60 for the appropriation of $10,880.85 from 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 $8,446.45 from Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management (Account Org 439, Object 365264) to Traffic & Street Signs (Account Org 10550223, Object 43213). These funds will be used for the purchase of replacements for the equipment damaged in the respective collisions.