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RESOLUTION R-2021-25: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, APPROPRIATING $49,565.78 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 June 19, 2019, a traffic collision occurred at 250 12th Avenue NE causing effected streets to be barricaded. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces installed and removed the barricades at the location. On March 3, 2020, a $252.63 check was collected from the insurance company for the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On January 22, 2020, a traffic collision occurred on the Main Street exit from I-35 causing damage to a street light pole. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces contracted the repairs of the damage at the location. On March 9, 2020, a check in the amount of $3,465.12 was collected from the driver’s employment company for the damages. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On February 17, 2020, a traffic collision occurred at the intersection of Tecumseh Road and the intersection with the northbound I-35 ramps causing damage to a street light pole. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces contracted the repairs of the damage at the location. On March 12, 2020, a $3,462.98 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On March 30, 2018, a traffic collision occurred on Indian Hills Road between 24th Avenue NE and 36th Avenue NE causing damage to an Object Marker sign installations. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On March 17, 2020, a $242.47 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On February 22, 2020, a traffic collision occurred on the southeast corner of the 48th Avenue NW intersection with Rock Creek Road causing damage to a STOP sign installation. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at the location. On April 2, 2020, a $136.06 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On October 19, 2018, a traffic collision occurred on the southeast corner of the Wylie Road intersection with Camden Way causing damage to a STOP sign installation. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On May 8, 2020, a $109.67 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 March 13, 2020, a traffic collision occurred on the shoulder of northbound I-35 just north of the Robinson Street entrance ramp causing damage to a street light pole. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces contracted repair of damage at the location. On May 15, 2020, a $5,168.87 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On December 10, 2019, a traffic collision occurred on westbound State Highway 9 near the Classen Boulevard entrance ramp causing damage to a street light pole. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces contracted repair of the damage at this location. On May 26, 2020, a $4,243.31 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On September 29, 2019, a traffic collision occurred on the northbound off-ramp from I-35 to Main Street causing damage to a street light pole. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces contracted repair of the damage at this location. On June 15, 2020, a $9,583.46 check was collected from the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On July 25, 2018, damages were sustained to an underground conduit containing wire associated with the traffic signal pole on the southwest corner of the Robinson Street intersection with Peters Avenue. The contractor responsible for the damage was identified for collection purposes. City forces contracted repair of the damage at this location. On July 30, 2020, a $6,876.02 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible contractor. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On October 30, 2019, a traffic collision occurred on the intersection of Alameda Street and North 12th Avenue East causing damage to the traffic signal and battery back-up cabinets 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 July 30, 2020, a $16,025.19 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. This represented a pro rata share of the damages incurred based upon the insurance policy limits 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 $48,824.95 for damages to traffic signal/street light equipment and $740.83 for damages to traffic signs.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the approval of Resolution R-2021-25 for the appropriation of $48,824.95 from Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management (Account Org 439, Object 365264) to the General Fund, 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 $740.83 from Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management (Account Org 439, Object 365264) to the General Fund, Traffic Signals 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 collisions.