Photo courtesy agenda packet
City commissioners pushed for stronger crosswalk safety near the pending new apartments on 10th and Peach during Monday night’s meeting.
GW Weld is working on the housing project near the elementary school that includes affordable and market-rate options.
Paschal’s Landing is the complex’s affordable housing option, which will include 24 two-bedroom units and 12 three-bedroom units. 10 Union Lofts will be market rate and include 30 one-bedroom, 60 two-bedroom and 6 three-bedroom units.
The original design plan included one crosswalk near the complex, but with city staff’s recommendation, a second was added and presented to the commission at a November meeting. The city asked at that meeting that beacons be looked into for the area, as well.
During Monday night’s meeting, Assistant City Manager Zack Daniel said city staff and Weld negotiated creating two crosswalks, with one having a flashing yellow beacon.
However, city commissioners said they wanted red light beacons at both crosswalks to get drivers’ attention.
A traffic study was previously done to see what regulations would recommend for the stretch of 10th Street. A design with two crosswalks and a flashing yellow beacon with a button is two times what the traffic study warranted, Weld said.
Weld said he was under the impression that having a flashing yellow beacon at the crosswalk was what the commission wanted.
Having an overhead red light flashing beacon would significantly increase the price by $300,000 to $400,000, Weld said.
However, Commissioner Roberta Lehmann said she did not want a repeat of the traffic situation at Meadowlark and the high school, especially with children crossing the street. Mayor Tim Reazin agreed, saying it would be good to get ahead of the issue now.
He said he thought they discussed needing a push-button red light at both of the crossings.
Commissioner Alex Curnes said it seemed silly to not have the beacons at both crossings and said he wanted them to be red, as well.
Reazin and Curnes said, if the city is partnering on this, they would rather do it right.
Reazin asked those attending the meeting if there was any public opinion about this. Laura Smith said she thought elementary pick-up works like a well-oiled machine and the traffic is for a short time. She was responding to commissioners discussing congestion at the start and end of the school day.
Annie Bryant said cars would be required to stop twice if there are two red beacons, which could cause a backup of traffic between the two crossing areas.
Weld said he wanted to work with the city to come to a solution on the crosswalk, but the project was at risk of falling behind if bond resolutions weren’t approved during the meeting.
The commission approved the resolutions for intent to issue bonds, but agreed to strike the portion that would approve the current design plan for the crosswalks.
Weld asked that a new development agreement with the crosswalk plan be approved at the next meeting so that the project could stay on track.
In other business, now that work on the Pilla Building is done, the city can move forward with applying for a new Community Development Block Grant to help with renovations to Pilla Park.
The overall scope of the project has stayed the same since this was first planned for a year ago, but cost estimates have changed.
Improvements to the playground, additional shade structures and seating are still planned. If the grant is fully awarded, the total cost of the project would be $948,225, with $650,000 coming from the grant. The city is responsible for the remaining cost. Results on the grant should be announced this summer.
The commission had to hold a public hearing before passing the resolution allowing the city to apply for the grant. No one spoke during the hearing and the commission passed the resolution. The commission also approved a resolution to allow the city manager to enter into a contract with Government Assistance Services for administrative services relating to the grant.
In other business, the commission approved a resolution to allow the city to enter into banking services with Mid America Bank.
During city staff updates, Public Works Director Branden Boyd said the pavement management projects were going well and receiving positive community feedback.
Fire Chief Justin Lee said the fire department has opened up recruitment for new volunteer firefighters. He said they have many young volunteers but are hoping to add some new older recruits to diversify their firefighter base.
During staff updates, Lehmann asked if there would be anything done about the small stop signs on the bridge over K-10 because she has received a lot of complaints. She asked if there was any luck adding a sign saying “pedestrian crossing” to clear up confusion.
Boyd said that area is a state right-of-way, and they are looking into it.
City Manager Kevyn Gero said the property tax rebate for seniors and disabled veterans will open May 10. The city will post more information about applying soon,
City Clerk Kelly Delay said the city has received a record number of solicitors and that most of the ones coming to homes are licensed. She said people can always ask to see a license, but the number this year is already significantly larger than last year.
The city also received an update from Chamber President Meagan Cox.
The city supplied the Chamber with $11,000 in funding per their yearly memorandum of understanding. Some of that funding was used to help with Feeding Eudora.
The Chamber has about 70 paying members.
Cox said the Chamber is planning a “Shop Local Week” for the beginning of May.
The city also approved a resolution to allow the sale and consumption of alcohol at this year’s Main Street markets. The markets will be from 5:30-8 p.m. May 8, July 10, Aug. 7 and Sept.11.
The commission held an executive session following the meeting for a quarterly review of Gero. Reazin said no action was taken following the session.