The Chandler City Council voted to wait on taking any action regarding the intersections of Ninth and Manvel and Sixth and Manvel at their monthly meeting on Oct. 10.
The motion called for City Attorney Larry Lenora to draft a letter to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and request a quick response. The letter would ask for clarification on ODOT’s determination of having a stoplight or four-way stop at Ninth and Manvel while also requesting a second study on both intersections.
The vote was not unanimous, with Ward 3 Council Member Marilyn Young voting against it.
“I think we’re just pushing it down the line. I think we’re better off if we just keep going and do what we agreed to do,” Young said.
Most council members wanted clarification on whether ODOT had ordered the city to take down the stoplight at Ninth and Manvel or whether they were only advising that a four-way stop would be better. According to City Manager Jason Orr, the previous study by the district engineer from ODOT determined that the intersection wasn’t eligible for a traffic light.
Additionally, Mayor Kent McVey said he had a conversation with Rep. Kevin Wallace, who mentioned the possibility of installing different stoplights that are more visible at the intersection, though that wouldn’t be until midsummer next year if it happened. He added that it was only a conversation and that nothing was in writing.
McVey acknowledged that in regards to installing a four-way stop at Ninth, it wouldn’t be a popular decision, but he wants to protect the general public and the city. Ward 4 Council Member Robin Crouch said that she is okay with it not being popular if it meant protecting people from getting hurt. The city council also voted unanimously to enter into an agreement with Kimley-Horn on phase one of the Reed Park renovation for $32,000.
Phase One includes a topographical study of the area, a parking lot design for up to 15 spots and a site map for the region that includes where the basketball court and pavilion will go. They will also bid out the construction of the parking lot, according to Orr.
Mayor McVey said he is currently looking into various grant programs to help offset the cost of building, including a program with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the basketball court.
Other items passed unanimously at the meeting include the annexation of property at 102 S. Industrial Road and rezoning property located on Allison Ave and 117 E. 12th Street from general residential to general commercial.
The city council also voted unanimously to approve the contract with TJ Campbell Construction Co. for $1.66 million dollars for street improvements. Orr said the company now has 90 days to complete the project and is expected to start work around the first week of November.
The council also heard from Charles Thornsberry, who spoke during Citizens to be Heard. He asked that they consider locking up Oak Park Cemetery at night and restricting traffic there after his sister’s gravestone and three others were hit by a reckless driver overnight a couple of weeks ago.
“I’ve dropped kids off at school, you know, for a long time. I understand it can be slow and frustrating but leave your household a little earlier if you know there’s going to be traffic rather than cutting through a cemetery,” he said.