Police Chief recommends one-way alley to curtail issues

City Council
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     Police Chief Britt Smith’s suggestion to turn a two-way alleyway into a one-way alley was met with some contention during the July 16, 2018 Monticello City Council meeting.

     The council approved the first reading of an ordinance that would turn the alleyway from S. Walnut St. to S. Gill St., behind Bradview Court, eastbound only.

     Smith brought the issue to the council’s attention at the last council meeting after a resident reported a concern with the speed at which vehicles travel along the alley and residents needing to access their garages against two-way traffic.

     Ann McClusky has lived on Bradview Ct. for 17 years, and accesses the alleyway to her home. McClusky said while she’s not opposed to one-way traffic, she feels it would not do much to solve the traffic problem.

     “It won’t be enforced,” she said. “The speed there is totally out of control, often terrifying. You’re never going to control the speed.”

     McClusky said the issues began when the city paved on the alley.

     She suggested the installation of a speed bump to deter those traveling at high rates of speed. “That’s the consensus,” she said of the eight homes involved in the situation.

     Smith explained while there was the consideration for a speed bump, it would be hard to legally do as an obstruction in a public roadway. He said the cost associated with an engineer’s study just for a 100-yard alley would be hard to pass by the council.

     “It’s city-owned public roadway,” he said.

     McClusky questioned the definition, but City Administrator Doug Herman clarified that all alleys are public roadways, not private driveways/access points.

     Herman also commented that speed bumps would be hard on snow-removal equipment, and deteriorate over time.

     McClusky said those who have to access their homes from the alley are fighting those who feel they’re entitled to use the alley as well.

     “We’ve been fighting entitlement for 15 years,” she said. “People on Park Dr. have lots of access. It’s not acceptable to use our alleyway.”

     She also suggested signage related to “children at play;” however, Smith said the city used to display similar signage but it wasn’t effective. “No one paid attention to the sign anyway,” he said.

     Smith explained the speed at which people travel is excessive in the alley because of the narrowness of the roadway, and that the odds of the Monticello Police Department citing someone for excessive speed is minimal.

     He said making it a one-way, eastbound only alley would also eliminate people driving uphill during hazardous winter conditions.

     “Overall, there’s not one perfect solution,” Smith said. “There’s going to be flaws with each proposal.”

     “There have been a lot of dangerous situations in the alley, and I don’t think this is the solution,” concluded McClusky.

     Smith said he sent letters to property owners with adjoining driveways concerning the issue.

     “This isn’t perfect, but it’s the first initial step,” said Smith.

     With the council passing the first reading of the ordinance change, it takes two more readings before it becomes official. Residents wishing to express their thoughts are encouraged to attend the next council meeting.

     “We can always modify the ordinance along the way,” offered Herman.

In other city business:

     • With Republic Services now handling city residential and commercial garbage and recycling, Herman admitted the rollout of going private with the services has not been as smooth as the city had hoped.

     Republic sent out brochures in the mail to all residents and businesses, which some started receiving on Monday, July 16.

     “Those were supposed to be out a month ago,” commented Herman.

     He did say City Hall has fielded lots of questions, but little complaints.

     “It will take some time,” he said of ironing out the kinks. “There are a few little things to figure out, things the city guys always did that Republic may not take care of.”

     Herman said the downtown district is still being discussed in terms of garbage pick-up twice a week versus once a week.

     The city is also sending out notices to businesses that utilize a commercial garbage service other than the city hauler (Republic). Herman said they want to reduce the number of heavy trucks on city streets, and will offer a date at which time commercial garbage pick-up must switch over.

     • The Fourth of July holiday and fireworks timeframe has come and gone. Herman reported that other than through social media, the city did not field many complaints related to the fireworks going off in town. The complaints they did receive were from parents of small children, and the fireworks going off late at night by people who did not follow the law.

     Smith said most people respected the 10-11 p.m. timeframe “on some nights.

     “There was nothing significant outside the authorized timeframe,” he said.

     Mayor Brian Wolken felt that fireworks this year were “less excessive than last year, which was good.”

 

Category:

Subscriber Login