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RANDOLPH – Randolph’s city council yielded discussion on removing stop signs after an eight-minute public hearing, taking no action on the topic at its regular meeting last week.
With the bridge removed on Douglas Street and the road coming to a dead end there, stop signs seem unnecessary to some residents and council members which prompted a discussion about potentially removing stop signs at the intersection with Wayne Street.
There were mixed views among the six people who attended the public hearing.
Shirley Graf - who lives near the dead end - said she would like to keep the stop signs the same.
“They’ve been there forever. It’s just going to cause mass confusion by taking them out,” she said. “You took my bridge out and now you’re going to uproar the rest of the community.”
She said there’s still traffic and motorists coming to the dead end and having to turn around.
Fire Chief Jim Scott said initially he was against removing the stop signs but then he drove it, thought on it and changed his mind.
“If you move the stop signs going north and south it kind of makes a little more sense than the way we have it now,” he said.
Todd Greiner and Tony Backer suggested leaving three of the four stop signs at the intersection, removing only one to allow westward traffic to flow freely.
No action was taken as stop sign removal would require an ordinance and City Attorney Keelan Holloway had not prepared one for last week’s meeting. The council also asked Police Chief Pat Eller to make a recommendation before moving forward.
Asbestos removal downtown
The City of Randolph has been awarded a Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy grant to cover half of the costs for asbestos abatement in downtown properties.
The city purchased 106, 108, and 110 W. Broadway St. this summer. The buildings are the former Nebraska Finest Meats, the former Seek N Find Consignment store, and another which served as storage and upstairs apartments.
All three buildings - considered nuisance properties - failed an internal city inspection in 2021 and were condemned by the city.
The council paid $35,000 for the properties owned by Vernon Forney, Pierce.
The city would like to demolish the buildings but first need to remove asbestos.
After receiving three bids, the total amount for the work nears $12,000 including a third-party visual inspection required for the grant.
The city is also looking into grants available for the demolition of the buildings. An update of Randolph’s comprehensive plan may be required for additional grant funding.
Generator for fire hall
The city council approved more than $12,000 for a generator and electric work at the fire hall with the option of a potential cost-share or grants to cover a portion of the project.
Scott said without a generator there’s risk of damaging fire truck equipment if the power were to go out for an extended period of time. Also, the large overhead doors would have to be opened manually which would add time to emergency response, Scott said.
A generator would also allow the fire hall to serve as a place for the community to gather in an emergency if needed, said Brandon Backhaus.
“It’s something very much needed for our fire hall to have,” Councilwoman Janelle Biernbaum agreed.
Since it wasn’t budgeted, the purchase requires a budget amendment, said Josh Rayford, deputy city administrator.
He suggested seeking a cost-share with the Rural Fire Board. Scott said he would make the request and also continue to seek grants to fund the project.
New meeting date
The city council will be meeting next at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, which is one week earlier than their regular meeting date.
