Bikes to be allowed downtown; no changes to snow ordinance

RED OAK — Bikes are nearly back in downtown Red Oak after the City Council gave preliminary approval last week to changes to a city ordinance prohibiting them.

City Attorney Tom Stamets said the changes would allow bikes on the streets, while banning them from the sidewalks. It would also prohibit scooters, skateboards, skates or rollerblades on sidewalks or streets in the business district while allowing “electrical personal assistive mobility devices” on sidewalks.

Currently, city ordinances state “when signs are erected on any sidewalk or roadway prohibiting the riding of bicycles thereon by any person, no person shall disobey the signs.”

Signs currently surround the business district stating bicycles are prohibited. An October Red Oak Express article highlighted the signs in contrast to the bicycle racks located in Fountain Square Park, and ongoing downtown improvement plans to encourage bicycle riding.

The Council discussed the issue at a Dec. 5 meeting, and agreed changes were needed.

While half of that Council has been replaced, the ordinance’s first reading passed unanimously last week.

Two more readings are needed before a final vote enacts the ordinance. A second reading is scheduled for the March 5 meeting.

In addition to allowing bikes on the streets downtown, the ordinance also:

— Bans double riding on a bike designed for one person;

— Allows the City to add a designated lane for cyclists to use;

— Prohibits a cyclist from being towed by another vehicle, or towing another bike;

— Requires use of lamp visible from at least 300 feet when the bike is operated from sunset to sunrise.

Emergency Snow Ordinance

No changes will be made to Red Oak’s snow ordinance after the mayor received numerous responses opposed to his suggestions.

Bill Billings admitted his proposal to ban parking on all city streets during snow emergencies was met with universal opposition.

“I can emphatically say the response I have received in 72 pieces of correspondence is that we should probably leave it the way it is,” Billings said.

Council Member Jeanice Lester said she too heard the same comments.

Before quickly moving on to the next agenda item, Red Oak’s new mayor said the feedback was educational.

“I think it is commendable and thanks you guys (Council) to being open to the public,” he said. “I myself learned a lot.”

Electrical Bids

The Council awarded a $204,600 bid to Voltmer Electric for electrical upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant’s pump station.

Other bids for the work came from Drees Heating and Plumbing ($214,800), CL Carroll Co. ($224,815), Keller Excavating ($227,000) and Oakview dck ($229,950).

The engineer’s opinion of probable cost was listed at $220,000.

In the project, the city will be replacing 20 underground cables between the waste water treatment plant and the pump station.

The cables which measure over 1,100 feet, are about 25 years old and their structural integrity has started to deteorate over the years.

In addition to replacing the underground electrical lines, the city will also be adding a backup gen erator to the pump station.

Problems with the electrical lines was first discussed at a December Council meeting, when it was decided to pursue replacing them.