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Speeding

Council discusses traffic control options

RANDOLPH — The City Council wants to put the brakes on speeders in town. But what’s the best way – speed bumps, stop signs or more enforcement?

Since speed bumps were approved at last month’s Randolph City Council meeting, citizens have been making their opposing voices heard to Council members and Mayor George Bradley, prompting the discussion on different ways to solve the problem of speeding at the council’s most recent meeting last week.

Councilman Dennis Bazata said he has had complaints about speeding and the speed bumps were a way to address that problem.

“The speeding problem is clearly there,’’ he said. “People say they are seeing people speeding.’’

One option would be to add a stop sign for southbound traffic at Park and Main streets. City Administrator Ben Benton suggested placing a stop sign by the park and pool.

Another option would be to utilize the speed monitoring trailer more just to make motorists more aware of their actual speed.

Suggestions also ranged from changing police shifts for greater traffic enforcement to giving out a larger number of tickets for speeding. Even if just one person gets a ticket, it may make others aware, Benton said.

Bazata said Broadway Street specifically needs to be patrolled more for speeding.

Police Chief Pat Eller said people don’t realize the speed they are going and that there really aren’t as many speeders as people think.

Eller, a proponent of the speed bumps, agreed to use his radar on several more mornings.

The Council did not take any immediate action on the issue.

At its meeting, the Council also heard a presentation from Tyler Henke of Ziptility – an infrastructure management application based in Bloomington, Ind., and established in 2018.

Benton proposes using Ziptility for more efficient work order tracking and inventory management with the goals to reduce failures, reduce the need to rely on outside vendors and create a real-time database.

Henke said the program is a flexible tool that can keep track of customer complaints, be used by Fire & Rescue to locate hydrants, or by police to locate traffic signs needing replaced, as just a few examples. There are unlimited cloudbased applications available through the Ziptility program, Benton has already identified fourteen applications.

Benton said the Ziptility menus are customizable and would benefit the Council by having information available to them right at their fingertips – literally, with a downloadable app right to a smartphone.

The cost for the program amounts to only 16 cents per customer, Benton said.

Josh Rayford, deputy clerk/deputy treasurer, agreed, saying the program would pay for itself with the efficiencies it provides.

Henke said Ziptility is a young company, but it already has 42 customers using their program as well as support by their investors.

“We have a personal relationship with customers,’’ Henke said. “We guarantee as much service as you want.’’

Benton said he researched what other cities of comparable size are doing and nothing compares with what Ziptility offers.

The Council took no action on this item but will revisit it at its next meeting.

The Council also discussed but took no action on the lease of a new dump truck.

The proposed lease agreement with NCL Gov Capital would be for $136,000. That amount would be spread out in payments over six or seven years, Benton said. At the end of the lease agreement, the City would have the option of purchasing the truck for $1.

He also said the USDA offers a grant that may be available to cover 15 percent.

Per the Council’s direction, Mark Korth reviewed the proposal for the truck lease and approved of the details.

However, Councilwoman Kalynda Kuhl said she doesn’t think the City should lease a new dump truck at this time and the decision was tabled.

The City Council reviewed and approved Planning Commission changes to zoning of accessory buildings on residential lots and heard:

• A report from Peggy Leiting of the Lied Public Library about the Library Innovation Studios equipment on site for the next five months. The equipment includes a 3-D printer, CNC router, laser printer, vinyl cutter, button maker and other creative solutions. If the equipment is used enough, some may stay at the library at the end of the allotted time. Leiting brought some items that were made using the equipment including some T-shirts and a cookie cutter.

• A utilities department report from City employee Daniel Korth. He said the city is reviewing options and bids to improve wastewater flow from the Clubhouse to the sewer main on west Walden Street. The cost would be $20 per foot for a total cost of $5,000 to make a sewer line that would back up less. The project would begin at the eastern edge of the golf course. Rayford and Benton are working on a rate study for all utilities with findings made available at the next Council meeting March 3.

• The City will use H&L Asphalt to clean and fill cracks on 20 blocks of city streets.

• An update on changes for the City Auditorium with wall repairs and a paint refresh. Rayford said he met with a keyless door entry vendor, reviewing options for next fiscal budget to reduce necessity to check out keys for participant access to the auditorium or other city properties.

• An update regarding the Economic Development Advisory Board’s meeting in January. Shelley Crawford is the board president and Paul Leiting is secretary. The next meeting will include a presentation from Lowell Schroeder of the Northeast Nebraska Development District to kickoff framework planning for a potential Downtown Revitalization Project.

• Electrical Superintendent Randy Beck is working on electrical connection for Cardinal Meats. Weather has been a factor limiting progress on electrical utility bore projects under Highway 20 at the intersection of Main Street and Highway 20, as well as adding power to the eastern Welcome to Randolph sign.

• Fundraising efforts for pool renovations and Splash pad are underway, according to Benton. This will be discussed at the Randolph Area Foundation meeting in February. The city’s intent is to partner with Randolph Area Foundation for receiving donations.

• Randolph Summer Youth Manager Crystal Junck received a $1,000 grant from Scheels along with a 20 percent discount for all supplies purchased for all Randolph families. Preliminary numbers from early sign-ups in January are nearing 100 baseball/softball players.

• Flood Risk Management Project Phase II design is due at the end of February with appraisals to start in March.

• Rayford completed a grant writing class at Northeast Community College and Korth received his Water Operator certification. Utility Employee John Dickes will be attending the Wastewater Operator training at the end of the month.

The council entered executive session to discuss real estate with no action taken. The next meeting will be Wednesday, March 3.

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