Council recap: Main St. mid-block crosswalk proposals, 1,349 non-filing Ada taxpayers

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By Alec Keller

The Village of Ada Council met in regular session on October 6. The meeting was conducted by Mayor Dave Retterer with all council members present. The meeting packet is here. 

CROSSWALK RESEARCH
Village Administrator Casey Smith reported that research is continuing on the potential installation of midblock pedestrian crosswalks. Designated crosswalks are positioned between street intersections rather than at standard corners. Smith noted she contacted ChoiceOne Engineering for additional insight into similar municipal projects. Smith shared details from an email sent by Wes Wolters, Project Manager at ChoiceOne Engineering, highlighting a recent project completed in Minster, Ohio, along State Route 66 near Minster High School.

According to Wolters’ email in the council packet, SR 66 carries an average daily traffic (ADT) count of approximately 8,000 vehicles per day, slightly higher than the traffic volume seen on Main Street in Ada. Wolters provided an estimated project cost of $110,000, which Smith noted would be a similar cost if Ada chooses to move forward with a midblock crosswalk.

Rough Construction Estimates (Pedestrian crossing at 2-lane section)

  • Curb ramps and crosswalk markings: $25,000

Rough Construction Estimates (Pedestrian crossing at 3-lane section).

  • Curb ramps and pedestrian refuge island: $50,000
  • Curb ramps with [Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon] and pedestrian refuge island: $95,000
  • Curb ramps with [Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon] and pedestrian refuge island: $175,000

Wolters also supplied a schematic tailored to the roadway configuration of Ada’s Main Street.

The discussion follows input from previous meetings, where a village resident suggested adding audible crosswalk signals. These feature push-button systems that utilize sounds, vibrations, and spoken messages to assist blind and visually impaired pedestrians in navigating street crossings safely.

1,349 NON-FILING TAXPAYERS
Fiscal Officer Lydia Fontaine reported to council that she received an email from The Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) which reports that there are approximately 1,349 non-filer letters that are being mailed as of today to taxpayers that neglected to file a municipal income tax return for the village. 

In order to inform residents, RITA has given the village some toolkits with instructions on how to file through RITA. Council member Sheila Coressel asked what percentage that covers out of everyone in the village who files. Fontaine responded there are at least 5,000 residents when the students are here. 3,300 when the students are not. 

OCT. 20 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING
Fontaine also noted that at the end of this week, she will have prepared a rough draft of the budget. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for October 20 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

POLICE DEPARTMENT
Police Chief Alec Cooper said that since his last report (made twice a month), officers have initiated or responded to 188 calls for service, took 17 incident offense reports and 5 vehicle accident reports. 

Cooper said that the two access controllers that were put for bid on GovDeals were sold for $299.07. Since the September 24 installation of portable traffic citation printers, they have issued 15 tickets from the new e-citation program.

GRAPHIC

Twice-monthly Ada Police statistics

  • 188 calls for service
  • 17 incident & offense reports
  • 5 vehicle accident reports

2027 Proposed Budget Hearing

  • 5 p.m. on October 20