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RESOLUTION R-1819-80: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, APPROPRIATING $11,615.52 FROM THE REFUNDS REIMBURSEMENTS MISCELLANEOUS RISK MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT RECEIVED FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES AND THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY TO REPAIR AND REPLACE TRAFFIC SIGNAL EQUIPMENT AND TRAFFIC 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 $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 March 9, 2018, a traffic collision occurred at 1415 West Main Street causing damage to a street light. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at the location. On November 27, 2018, a $310.42 check was collected from the insurance company for the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On March 22, 2018, a traffic collision occurred at the roundabout at the Corporate Centre Drive and Interstate Drive intersection causing damage to a roundabout directional sign. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at the location. On January 23, 2019, a check in the amount of $116.47 was collected from the insurance company for the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On December 5, 2018, a traffic collision occurred on Saddleback Drive east of 48th Avenue NW. The collision damaged a Neighborhood Watch sign. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at the location. On January 23, 2019, a $213.90 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On June 2, 2018, a traffic collision occurred at the intersection of 36th Avenue SE and Cedar Lane 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 January 28, 2019, a $226.62 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On January 9, 2018, a traffic collision occurred on the east side of the Main Street intersection with the Interstate 35 ramps causing damage to a pedestrian crosswalk sign assembly. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at the location. On January 30, 2019, a $4,243.70 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On October 15, 2018, a traffic collision occurred on Robinson Street west of Ca Bella Court causing damage to a curve advance warning sign installation. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. On January 30, 2019, a $186.54 check was collected from the insurance company of the responsible party. The check was deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On December 30, 2013, a traffic collision occurred on Ed Noble Parkway north of Lindsey Street causing damage to a One-Way/Keep Right/Object Marker sign installation. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces made repairs at the location. No notification was given that collection occurred, but it was later determined that it had. Collection information showed that payments totaling $141.96 were received on February 6, 2014, and on March 26, 2014. These funds would have been deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On January 3, 2014, a traffic collision occurred on northbound Interstate Drive north of Conference Drive causing damage to an End of Roadway sign installation. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. No notification was given that collection occurred, but it was later determined that it had. Collection information showed that payments totaling $152.20 were received on January 23, 2014. These funds would have been deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On February 5, 2014, a traffic collision occurred at the River Oaks Drive intersection with North Interstate Drive causing damage to a Large Arrow sign installation. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damage at this location. No notification was given that collection occurred, but it was later determined that it had. Collection information showed that payments totaling $195.05 were received on April 8, 2014, on June 26, 2014, and on March 11, 2016. These funds would have been deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On March 24, 2014, a traffic collision occurred on Tecumseh Road east of 36th Avenue NW causing damage to a Speed Limit 40 sign installation. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces performed the necessary repairs at this location. No notification was given that collection occurred, but it was later determined that it had. Collection information showed a payment of $145.10 was received on May 21, 2014. These funds would have been deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On May 18, 2016, a traffic collision occurred on Franklin Road west of 60th Avenue NW causing damage to an Object Marker sign installation. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damages at this location. No notification was given that collection occurred, but it was later determined that it had. Collection information showed that payments totaling $159.71 were received on July 11, 2016, and on August 4, 2016. These funds would have been deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On March 13, 2017, a traffic collision occurred at the 108th Avenue NE intersection with Stella Road causing damage to a stop sign installation. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. City forces repaired the damages at this location. No notification was given that collection occurred, but it was later determined that it had. Collection information showed that a payment of $140.06 was received on February 16, 2018. These funds would have been deposited into the Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management account.
On March 26, 2018, a traffic collision occurred on the eastbound Robinson Street off-ramp from southbound Interstate 35 causing damage to a street light assembly. The responsible driver was identified for collection purposes. A contractor was hired to repair the damage at this location. No notification was given that collection occurred, but it was later determined that it had. Collection information showed that a payment of $5,383.79 was received on June 28, 2018. These funds would have been 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 $9,937.91 for damages to traffic signal equipment and $1,677.61 for damages to traffic signs.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the approval of Resolution R-1819-80 for the appropriation of $5,298 (received in the current fiscal year) from Account 043-0000-367.12-64 (Refunds/Reimbursements Risk Management) and appropriation of $6,318 (received in prior fiscal years) from Account 043-0000-253.20-00 (Fund Balance) with $9,938 to Account 010-5023-429.32-12 (Traffic Signal Parts) and $1,678 to Account 010-5023-429.32-13 (Traffic & Street Signs). These funds will be used for the purchase of replacements for the equipment damaged in the respective collision.