Traffic lights causing headaches for some

Traffic light synchronization changes have caused headaches for some Enterprise residents.

During an Aug. 6 city council meeting, resident Kurt Bensch expressed his concerns to the council about the timing of lights being changed at the intersection of Rucker Boulevard and the bypass.

Bensch asked councilmembers if a decision was made to shorten the light for traffic coming onto the bypass, saying the light only allows about four or five cars to pass through the intersection.

Many times, Bensch added, people are ignoring the light turning red altogether and continue to make their way through the intersection.

"Maybe we can spend a little more time there to enforce the turn lane, because there is going to be a bad accident there at Rucker Boulevard and the circle because people are just ignoring the light," Bensch said. " It's an accident waiting to happen."

Mayor Kenneth Boswell said he has spoken with the Alabama Department of Transportation, which oversees that intersection.

"They are coming back to synchronize those lights," Boswell said. "Because of power outages and things of that nature, the synchronization became out of the timing."

Boswell said the city would also be adjusting the synchronization of the lights at Shellfield Road and Dauphin Street.

Due to the closure of the bridge on Northside Drive for replacement, traffic is expected to increase along this route as residents make their way to Dauphin Junior High School and Holly Hill Elementary School.

"(ALDOT is) in town currently adjusting the timers on the lights," Boswell said. " We ask that the citizens be patient, because it allows those parents that are taking children to school from that area extra time to get through those turn lane lights."

Boswell said if changing the synchronization doesn't work, the city would place police officers at the intersections to help direct traffic in the morning and afternoon hours that school begins and is dismissed.

In other council news, Boswell swore in Jason Wright as the city's new Communications and IT Director.

Wright has been working as the city's Special Projects Coordinator since spring 2012.

Following his swearing-in ceremony, Wright requested the city to enter into an agreement with Illumination Marketing & Web Design, LLC to upgrade the city's website. The request was approved and the estimated cost of the project is $3,500.

Enterprise Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Fenner addressed the council requesting the council reschedule its Dec. 3 council meeting to an earlier time so it would not conflict with the annual Christmas parade.

Councilmembers approved a motion to move the meeting time that day to 8 a.m.

Coordinator for E-911 Lon Jones requested a one block street that serves as the entrance to the Oak Ridge subdivision connecting North and South Oak Ridge Drive be named Oak Ridge Drive.

Jones said one lot currently faces the street, but the street was never named.

Councilmembers approved a resolution naming the street.

Jones has also been reviewing all vacant lots within the city to update and improve E-911 maps.

Letters will be sent to all vacant lot owners who do not have an address recorded with the county.

After receiving complaints about the play on the newly-resurfaced tennis courts, the council agreed to suspend the payment of $27,322.25 to American Tennis Courts, Inc. until a review of project can be made.

Councilmembers also approved a work authorization from Barge, Waggoner, Sumner & Cannon, Inc. for $6,000 to review and update the city's policies and procedures at the Enterprise Municipal Airport.

The company will also complete a visual inspection of the existing hangar facilities and complete a report outlining any deficiencies with recommended maintenance and estimated costs.

The city also approved a motion to enter into an agreement with Ingenuity, Inc. to implement a new credit card system for the municipal court.

The system will allow residents to make payments to the municipal court online with a minimum $3 convenience fee.

The next Enterprise City Council meeting will be at 6 p.m., Aug. 20, at city hall.