State says ?no? to replacing overhead flashing light

BY KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

WAYLAND ? The City of Wayland finally received their answer on what kind of traffic control device could be placed at a high traffic intersection, and it wasn?t what the council was hoping for.

During last month?s meeting, the council discussed the need to replace the hard-to-keep-functioning overhead flashing light at the intersection of Highway 78 and Jefferson Street. The intersection also happens to be next to an entrance for the BP convenience store.

The city had received an agreement from the Iowa Department of Transportation that would put a stationary traffic control device at the intersection. The city would be responsible for the upfront cost of $10,000, but would be reimbursed by DOT. They would then be responsible for the maintenance and replacement of the device if anything were to happen to it, and that caused great concern for the city as the stop sign there had been routinely ran over. Thus, the council was hoping the state would allow the current overhead light to simply be replaced.

?They won?t let you have a new one (overhead light),? said City Clerk Beverly Conrad. ?They are doing away with overhead lights systematically because they (the state) have had too many liability issues with them.?

Conrad went on to say that the city has three options: they could try to beef up a stationary device, attempt to maintain the failing current overhead light or they could just do away with the light all together. The latter option, however, would likely mean the city would not be approved for another such grant in the future, at least not until a major accident happened at the intersection.

?It?s a catch-22,? commented Conrad.

?I think we should go for it,? said Mayor Brad Roth.

Two flashing red beacons will be placed atop the stop signs on Jefferson Street and two flashing yellow beacons will be placed on either direction of Highway 78, warning drivers of an upcoming intersection.

?At least we know three of the four lights will last,? commented Councilman Kevin Fort.

Conrad added DOT would help come up with ideas of how to beef up the stop sign and traffic control device on Jefferson Street, next to the BP, so that it will last.

Also during the meeting, the council discussed a proposed sidewalk ordinance change. The change would be increasing the required width of the sidewalks, if replaced. Currently, the ordinance calls for replaced sidewalks to be 42 inches, however, to be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant, sidewalks would have to be a minimum of 48 inches, with a passing spot every 200 feet, or the recommended 60 inches.

Conrad asked the council if they felt the ordinance should simply state the sidewalk should be made ADA compliant rather than stating a specific number of inches.

City Attorney Mike Vance questioned at what point a sidewalk should be brought up to code.

The question became, if a resident only wanted to repair a broken or uneven block, would they have to bring the entire section of sidewalk up to ADA compliance?

?Are you repairing or replacing?? he asked.

Vance added these were questions the council needed to think about before adjusting the ordinance. The council asked Vance to take a look at the ordinance and ADA requirements.

The council also approved health insurance renewal options. Conrad said the city?s health insurance is through Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the deductible would increase from $1,750 to $2,000. Conrad also added it was open enrollment time so if any city employee opted to enroll, the council would have to approve it and take a look at the budget.

In other business, the council:

? Approved a building permit for Leonard Grieser to reroof his garage at 312 E. Front St.

? Approved the notice of lease termination at 211 W. Main St., Unit 1.

The Wayland City Council will meet again on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 7:30 p.m., at City Hall.