Theater crosswalk trips over patent snag

By Thomas Nelson, tnelson@charlescitypress.com

A crosswalk by the Charles Theatre was discussed by the Charles City Council Monday afternoon.

Originally there was a plan to use a “rectangular rapid flashing beacon” to mark the crosswalk, said Charles City Engineer John Fallis.

The city was going to use it because the beacon had received interim approval by the Federal Highway Administration.

“Then in December we received this memorandum, that’s a termination memorandum,” Fallis said. The Federal Highway Administration had terminated the interim approval.

“So it’s no longer an approved device,” he said.

According to the memorandum, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Street and Highways prohibits the use of patented devices.

“The FHWA has learned of the existence of four issued U.S. patents, and at least one pending patent application covering aspects of the Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons Device originally approved,” the memorandum said.

“If we had moved aggressively on this we would have had this up and in action,” said council member Keith Starr.

The City Council  discussed the possibility of a crosswalk by the theater several times in 2017.

“It only takes one incident for it to be bad,” said council member Jerry Joerger.

The theater wants the crosswalk.

“I can see a need for it,” said Charles City Mayor Dean Andrews, adding that it would only be needed for about five minutes a day.

Starr wants to be proactive on putting in a crosswalk before anyone gets hit.

“I’d like to know what options we have,” said council member Michael Hammond.

Council members said they want to move forward with the project despite the setback and see what other options are available.

Garbage ordinance amended

The council reviewed a new ordinance that would replace the language of the current ordinance to address the change from bags to totes.

“It’ll get us in line so on April 1 when the change happens the city code will be up to date,” said Charles City Administrator Steven Diers.

The Charles City Council approved a contract with Jendro Sanitation to switch to rolling totes for city garbage collection, effective April 1.

The move comes after several months of preparation and discussion between Jendro and the council, which also moved to extend its current contract until the new program is adopted.

The council also went over the budgets for the Charles City Engineering Department, 401 N. Main St., the mayoral and council funds, employee benefits fund, emergency levee funds, and TIF funds.

The next council voting session will be Feb. 5 in the Council Chambers.