Committees discuss traffic issues, coyote response
Several traffic issues were brought before the public safety committee on Feb. 1, primarily considering a blind curve on Saulter Road near Broadway Street.
Resident Tom Spencer addressed the committee about the curve on Saulter at South Forest Drive. His concern stemmed partly from a recent car accident his son had there, as well as the death of a childhood friend in the same location. He asked the council for a sign warning drivers about road conditions, as well as the possibility of new lighting.
Ward 4 Representative Barry Smith, who lives in the area, agreed with Spencer that the location was dangerous, especially in busy times when cars line up on Saulter trying to turn onto Broadway.
Police Chief Tim Ross told Spencer that he would study the road and find a solution. The committee decided to carry over the item until the next meeting.
"Whatever we've got to improve on it, we'll do that," Ross said.
The committee also voted to send a request for a four-way stop sign at the 28th Avenue/Montessori Way/Woodfern Court intersection to the full council for approval. A request for a street light at 209 Clermont Drive was sent to the finance committee, which approved it for full council consideration.
The public safety committee also voted to drop discussion of coyote problems within the city limits. Ross brought an estimate from Wildlife Nuisance Control, which manages Hoover's coyote issues, for $1,500 per month to trap and relocate coyotes using electronic, video-monitored traps. Ross said there aren't other options for controlling the population.
However, the police have no confirmed instances of attacks on humans or domestic animals, and the last reported sighting was around Christmas. With that in mind, the committee chose to drop the issue.
Lastly, the public safety committee also carried over discussion of modifying noise ordinances around vehicle noise until Ross can review the current ordinance. The possibility of equipping more officers with decibel meters was also discussed.
On Feb. 1, the special issues committee:
- Heard from residents about the noise and odor issues around the Buffalo Rock and Mayfield plants. One resident there said that odor had increased and new manhole covers installed by the county had not completely eliminated smells, but light and noise from Buffalo Rock had decreased. Right now, the council is waiting for the plants to finish testing and new equipment installation to see what effect that creates before taking further steps. A neighborhood meeting on the issue has been rescheduled to Feb. 25 at 5 p.m.
- Sent two sign variance requests — at 4100 Old Montgomery Highway and 1922 29th Ave. S. — to the council to consider.
- Carried over a sign variance request at 1 Lakeshore Drive.
The finance committee:
- Asked the council to consider funding up to $8,000 for tables and seating at the corner of Oak Grove Road and Raleigh Avenue.
- Carried over consideration of informational downtown signs until a presentation can be made to the committee.
- Carried over discussion of budget amendments.
- Dropped consideration of a change order in the West Homewood Project due to questions over budgeting.