The Chandler City Council heard requests from the former director of Public Works to address the condition of the city’s water lines and city residents to reconsider the removal of stop signs at Price and Third at their monthly meeting on Dec. 12.
David Nickell, who recently retired as director of Public Works, presented a clogged water pipe during city staff updates, telling the council that they needed to address the city’s water lines.
“I wouldn’t be doing my due diligence if I didn’t bring that to your attention,” he said.
City Manager Jason Orr said that the condition of Chandler’s waterlines is no different than any other city that is over 100 years old in the state and that they are already in the process of replacing and upgrading lines.
“I really appreciate the passion that our public works director has for his job because he’s been a tremendous asset in the community over the past 25 years,” Orr said. “And he brought up a valid point that we have some of our infrastructure that needs to be replaced.”
He added that the city council approved $400,000 of this year’s budget for water line replacement, and they are currently in the middle of working on that project. Several blocks have been identified and engineers have drawn up plans. They are currently waiting for approval by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality before it’s bid out.
During Citizens to be Heard, three residents near the intersection of Third Street and Price spoke about potential dangers after two of three stop signs were removed during the week of Dec. 4. Yield signs were placed on Price Street at the intersections of Second and Fourth Streets.
It is part of a project to slow down traffic in the neighborhood, specifically on Price and Blaine, by placing yield signs every two blocks in every direction. The plan was presented to the city council and approved on Nov. 14.
The residents said even though it was common for drivers to run those stop signs, at least they slowed down. They also mentioned visibility issues and worries about children who play in the area.
The issue will be on the agenda for January’s council meeting, according to Orr.
He added that the city plans to enforce speed limits on Price, Blaine, and at Oak Park Cemetery. As of Dec. 14, there were reports from drivers in the area of police pulling them over for not using the yield signs.
However, Orr said that anytime changes are made to traffic control devices, they need to be consistent according to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
“That’s why that layout was recommended to the council. It’s extremely consistent,” he said. “No matter what direction you go in that area of town, you know you’re going to hit a yield sign every two blocks. And if you go throwing a single stop sign in there, that is not consistent.”
He added that, in his opinion, that particular intersection is not any more dangerous than it was before. Orr said the city has heard from other residents in the area that they approve of the new setup because it actually slows drivers down.
The Chandler City Council also held a public hearing on a rezoning request and tabled discussion on a $50,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield grant for an outdoor fitness court.
They voted to set city council meetings for 2024, which included changing the start time from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The council will also start livestreaming the meetings on YouTube.
In the Chandler Municipal Authority meeting that took place before the city council meeting, the council voted to approve a contract with Orr Construction for $188,915 for the Ninth Street drainage project. They also approved a contract with Bennett, Inc. for $249,084 for the Chandler Sewer Rehabilitation Project to be paid from ARPA Funds.
The Council additionally approved an agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates for the Chandler Community Branding project for $20,000.