Curbing Our Enthusiasm
ByOccasionally, people feel compelled to write and voice their concerns. The following is a guest post from a resident with concerns regarding the parking in Palisade Village, egress for emergency vehicles, status and enforcement of DuPont Municipal Code, and Priorities.
I saw it [commented] on [RealDuPont.com] about the inability of the city to enforce DMC due to a lack of resources. I wanted to note a specific case of the lack of DMC enforcement in Palisade Village. I am particularly troubled by it because it has to do with public safety.
There are curbs on McDonald Ave, that were painted yellow in approximately 2002 to solve a problem found by the Fire Department. I noted recently that cars have begun parking along the painted areas of the street. I did a little research on the city website where the DMC is published, and sure enough, there is a law that prohibits parking along the yellow painted curbs:
16.03.020 Parking restrictions.
(a) Parking or standing of vehicles is hereby prohibited in any area designated by yellow painted curb with “No Parking” stenciled on the top of the curb, or by other official traffic control devices.
(b) Any violation of this section shall constitute a Class 4 civil infraction pursuant to Chapter 7.80 RCW. (Ord. 01-696 § 2).
Now it is 6+ years later, and the yellow paint is nearly all worn away (See photo above). In fact, cars are parked in front of the yellow curbs without any enforcement action (see photo below).
I believe the block of McDonald Ave between Bob’s Hollow Ln and Anderson Ave is the only area in all of DuPont where curbs were painted yellow. The curbs were painted yellow after the DuPont Fire Department determined that emergency vehicles could not pass through the narrow street when cars are parked on both sides of the street. It is a safety concern for residents that live on McDonald Ave.
We just heard from the city that fire services are our number one priority when the levy was promoted by the Mayor and City Council. I would hope that all aspects of public safety are a priority, not just the fire dept infrastructure.
Maybe these curb markings are no longer valid? The streets are still very narrow and difficult to pass with cars parked on both sides of the street.
It is true that this is a narrow street which would provide a challenge to a Ford F-250 let alone a fire rig if parking was permitted on both sides of the street. You would also think that with the fire last July, and the difficulties associated with fire equipment maneuvering, that this priority would not have lapsed so conspicuously as it did. Did we really need a levy to pass to take care of the curb painting?
Like the paint on a curb, seldom do these things erode overnight. Like the case of the fire department, the curbs have been slowly chipping away while attention was paid elsewhere. While council looks at each other wondering how they will pay for this, the citizens are left to scratch their heads and wonder just what is a priority in DuPont?
dupontwa, dupont wa, dupontwa.com, dupont washington
Council is floating another levy for fire services tonight at their council meeting. The above post is a good question. While council approved 14% pay increases for firefighters in 2009, we have issue like this still nagging our City. Another example of priorities in the wrong place. Give me a bucket, brush and yellow paint and I’ll go paint the damn curbs myself.
The city could install parking meters along this strip. Wait…dumb idea. Short staffed, can’t collect the revenue.
My understanding, there are 6 Public Works employees, that adds up to 240 man hours a week of labor for public works projects and tasks. What is the makeup of the 240 hours? That is a powerful resource and should be able to get a lot accomplished.
I for one do not know what they do, what is their weekly routine? Can someone from Council represent the 240 public works labor hours a week and what we as citizens are getting for our tax dollar?
Another example of a city program with no continuity.
Does the City ever get audited for efficiency or effectiveness?
How about a citizen audit team for City Administration of Police, Fire, Public Works, Planning, and other resources like museum, event planning, and parks/recreation.
No doubt the City works hard, but is it all reactive or do they have good methods and are they managed with a priority?
Spending more money is not the answer for everything. I’m concerned our council is so set to approve a Fire Levy when the city cannot even paint curbs that ensure the trucks can move through the streets.
Or paint crosswalks where they are needed. The ones on Center Drive are pretty badly faded. It’s ridiculous they let these things go. Don’t even come to me with another levy until these simple priorities are worked.
Oh, they will come to you with palms up and disdain for you if you question them on their motives, ability, etc. And if the levy fails in April, they will be back again in Novemeber. I understand the need to increase revenues but how about meeting citizens half way?
They could have met us half way during the budget process in 2008 when they were deciding everyone’s COLA’s. The savings could have been applied to the dollar amount they are asking for now.
Isn’t the author of this post doing the job of the PW director? After the fire you would have figured the city would have asked for the funds to buy a tow truck to keep these streets clear.
I agree with Roger Bacon about the need for an outside audit of our public works, utilities, and all.
Roger,
As a professional/technical employee of a major national insurance carrier in the area, I would LOVE the opportunity to sit on a citizen’s oversight board to audit the city’s Police, Fire, Public Works, Planning, and other resources.
Sign me up!
Hoffman Hell Raiser,
Now that you mention it, I cannot take my eyes off those worn out lines at our cross walks in the city. Thanks!!
About 1 year ago there was a cross walk traffic fatality in town, you’d think the city would be well disciplined in the need for traffic safety and basic upkeep.
And what is the council talking about this month? A canopy to cover some old rusty industrial scrap metal behind the museum.