City Council to consider using 'speed
bumps' on neighborhood streets
By Bob Robinson
Star STAFF
Using speed bumps and other techniques in residential
neighborhoods to make streets safer will be discussed at the
regular meeting of the Elizabethton City Council at 7 p.m.
Thursday at City Hall, 136 S. Sycamore St., Elizabethton.
Speed bumps, a "traffic calming device," are
part of the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP)
recommended by the Elizabethton Planning Commission. The previous
City Council deferred acting on the NTMP when it was presented
to them.
Emergency response times by Elizabethton Fire
Department and Carter County Rescue Squad may be adversely
affected by speed bumps.
"Longer fire vehicles and equipment, such as
ladder trucks, may have trouble negotiating horizontal devices.
Studies have shown that traffic calming devices may slow (emergency)
response times up to 10 seconds per device.
"Traffic calming techniques work best when incorporated
into a neighborhood traffic management program...creating
safer and more livable neighborhoods throughout the City of
Elizabethton," the NTMP plan stated.
In other action, Council will consider:
* Development of a Veterans War Memorial Park
in City Park, Elk Avenue and Pine Street. The memorial will
honor all veterans in World War I, World War II, Korean War,
Vietnam War and Desert Storm;
* Approving proclamations setting Saturday, Nov.
10, Elizabethton Soccer Association Appreciation Day; setting
Friday, Nov. 9, as Baughman Manufacturing U-8 Cobras Day in
recognition of the 2001 Championship Soccer Team; recognizing
October 30 as Weatherization Assistance Day;
* Appointing two members to the Planning Commission
and Zoning Appeals Board; appointing three members to the
Personnel Advisory Board;
* Adopting a resolution establishing a "formal
policy" on uniform rules for bids, contracts and agreements
entered into on behalf of the City of Elizabethton;
* Adopting an ordinance revising fines and costs
in City Court "comparable to area municipal court fines and
costs";
* Approving a budget amendment requested by the
Elizabethton Airport to reinstate $170,000 funds rolled over
into a fund balance previously approved for airport runway
extension;
* Approving the expenditure of approximately
$60,000 to purchase a video camera for the Wastewater Treatment
Division of Elizabethton Public Works Department;
* Approving bids to demolish a structure at 809
N. Main Street, acquired under the flood grant and recommended
by the City Planning and Development Department;
* Adopting a resolution transferring ownership
of the historic train owned by the City of Elizabethton to
the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce;
* Approving bids and purchases, totaling $134,280,
of which $38,416 is for bulk rock salt for use by the Street
Department this winter.
Members of City Council are Mayor Sam LaPorte,
Vice Mayor Sam Shipley, Nancy Alsup, Pat "Red" Bowers, Janie
McKinney, Diane Morris and Richard Sammons.
