|
|
City Beat
Your city, your news
April 13, 2021
|
|
|
|
Welcome to City Beat, a free weekly e-newsletter containing the latest news and information about the City of Bartlesville and related topics. Get yours delivered each week! http://bit.ly/2eaFETx
|
|
Detours in place for Hillcrest Drive project
Drainage work to wrap up next week; traffic lanes to reopen
|
|
Traffic detours put in place to accommodate work on the Hillcrest Drive Reconstruction Project caused a few hiccups last week but traffic flow is getting better as drivers make adjustments, Director of Engineering Micah Siemers said this week.
"We have had some issues due to the detours but thanks to drivers modifying their routines and after making some adjustments to the traffic control, those seem to be quite a bit better now," he said.
Work on the project, approved by voters in the 2013 Half-cent Capital Improvement Project election, got underway last week. Hillcrest Drive is currently closed between 20th Street and Hillcrest Heights, just south of the Caney River. The intersection of 20th Street and Hillcrest Drive is included in the closure. Hillcrest traffic is detoured to Silver Lake Road and Adams Boulevard until next Tuesday morning while contract crews create a drainage system to move water from the west side of the work site to the east, Siemers said.
"The new road will be aligned to the west of the current roadway and part of the older portion of the road will be retained as pedestrian pathway in the area. There will essentially be a ditch between the two," he said.
The $2.2 million project involves reconstructing Hillcrest Drive from the Caney River to just north of 20th Street. The new alignment will transition to the existing roadway just north of the Caney River on the south end of the project and just north of 20th Street on the north end of the project. The new roadway will consist of two 12-foot-wide drive lanes with six-foot-wide asphalt shoulders. Turn lanes will be provided at Shawnee and 20th Street.
To begin work on the actual reconstruction, though, some drainage work and tree removal work is necessary, Siemers said.
"Unfortunately, the drainage issue has necessitated temporary closure of the road and also allows the contractor to clear the trees along the new alignment," he said. "But we should be able to wrap that portion of the project up this week and have Hillcrest Drive opened back up by next Tuesday morning."
Siemers is asking motorists to slow down when traveling in the area.
"Please, please slow down," he said. "These detours are moving traffic from a well-traveled secondary road through neighborhoods in the area. There are kids out playing and people walking their dogs and whatnot. We're asking everyone to drive through these neighborhoods as you would your own."
Siemers said once reconstruction work begins on the road — hopefully next week — two-way traffic will be returned on Hillcrest throughout most of the project, though some temporary closures may be necessary. However, the intersection at 20th Street will remain closed with traffic on Hillcrest detoured on 16th Street to Shawnee. As work progresses there will be a period of time that traffic is reduced to one lane with temporary traffic signals permitting two-way traffic at the south end of the project. Additional notice will be provided as that phase gets closer.
"Our goal is to keep the road passable during the majority of the project, even though it will be reduced to one lane at times and detours will be in place," he said.
Construction is expected to take close to a full year to complete.
Photos by Micah Siemers
|
|
Recycle center remains closed after TRT fire
Tulsa processing center closing halts local recycle service
|
|
The City of Bartlesville recycle center, located on 10th Street east of Virginia Avenue, remains closed following a fire that damaged Tulsa Recycle and Transfer Center earlier this month. The City transfers recycled items collected at the center to TRT for processing.
“They had a lot of electrical damage to their facility as a result of the fire so they are busy trying to make those repairs,” City Public Works Director Keith Henry said last week. “We have not been notified of when those repairs might be complete, but we will reopen our center as soon as they are up and running.”
|
|
Free yard debris collection set for May 3-7
The City free yard debris collection will be held during the week of May 3-7. Residents may place their leaves, grass, lawn clippings and other yard debris at the curb in bags on their normal trash collection day during that week for collection by Solid Waste Department crews.
- Collection is for leaves, grass and lawn clippings as well as limbs and branches, if cut in lengths no longer than four feet and bundled (may not exceed 50 pounds.)
- Yard debris bags will not require yard waste stickers and clear or colored bags are allowed.
- Collection is for private residences only; no commercial collections will be made.
There is no limit on the number of bags a resident can put out for the collection. Yard debris will only be collected once, on your normal collection day of the week. Extra bags or items of household refuse outside the cart must have the red refuse sticker attached. Residents should comply with all other standard refuse regulations.
Yard refuse will be collected separately from trash but will be collected on the customer's normal trash collection day. For more information, contact the Solid Waste Department at 918.338.4130.
|
|
Popeyes, Tropical Smoothie on the way; construction starts on Luigi's
By Kelli Williams
|
|
Is Popeyes still planning to build in Bartlesville? When are they planning to start construction?
The Community Development Department has been contacted by Popeyes general contractor and plans are moving forward with construction at the Bartlesville site, located at 1300 S.E. Washington Blvd. The Community Development Department is currently awaiting revised plans for the restaurant. Dates for construction are not yet available.
What’s going on with the new construction north of Stride Bank on Highway 75?
Construction on the new Luigi's Italian Restaurant, which is currently located at 3822 E. Frank Phillips Blvd., is underway at this location following the issuance of a permit on March 26. The completion date for construction is not yet available.
When is the Tropical Smoothie going to be built?
The Community Development Department received plans for Tropical Smoothie Café last week. According to Chief Building Official Trey Yankovitch, the café will be built from the ground up across the street from the hospital, at the site of the former Phillips 66 car wash. The project is still in the plan review phase. Dates for construction are not yet available.
|
|
In-city garage sale signage: The dos & don'ts |
|
Planning to have a garage sale but not sure what City regulations might be in place that you need to know about? Look no further. Community Development Director Lisa Beeman covers the topic in this week's edition of Director's Cut.
What role does Community Development Department play in relation to garage sales held in Bartlesville?
One of the responsibilities of the Neighborhood Services Division, which is under the Community Development Department, is to make sure garage sales held within the city limits are in compliance with the Bartlesville Municipal Code. These are laws that are passed by the City Council to better maintain and improve the city's neighborhood and commercial areas.
What is the most common complaint when it comes to garage sales?
The most common complaint by far is related to signage. Unfortunately, people often place signs illegally to advertise their sale, when the signage would actually be just as effective — and legal — with just a few minor adjustments.
How should garage sale signage be placed to meet the legal requirements?
Section 5-491 of the municipal code outlines the law where garage sale signage is concerned as follows:
- A maximum of two signs not to exceed six square feet in area may be placed on the private property where the garage sale is to occur.
-
A maximum of two signs not to exceed three square feet in area may be placed on private property off-premise to provide direction to the garage sale. Approval of the property owner is required prior to placement of off-premise signs on private property.
- Signs may not be placed upon the public right-of-way or in any way that would interfere or obstruct access, activity or vision along any such right-of-way.
- Signs must be removed within one calendar day following the completion of the sale. Failure to do this could result in a fine.
|
|
It's important also to note that "off-premise" signage must be placed at least 10 feet from any curb or street and three feet from any sidewalk. This is one of the most common complaints we receive and the one to which we are most often called to respond.
Are there any other garage sales rules people should know about?
The number and duration of sales people can have is quite lenient, but there are restrictions that people should know about. Garage sales, yard sales, porch sales, estate sales and other similar type sales may not be held at the same residentially zoned property more than three and one-half days per sale and no more often than twice every three months.
If someone has other questions or wants to file a complaint, who should they call?
For questions, call 918.338.4244. To report a violation, call 918.338.4230.
|
|
|
|
BAHM offers online newsletter
It's springtime and that means it's time for a new issue of the Bartlesville Area History Museum Newsletter. This spring BAHM is excited to announce that in addition to the paper newsletters, patrons can now choose to read the newsletter in an online format. You can read the new edition of the newsletter and subscribe to the email list here.
"If you prefer a paper copy of the Newsletter, you can always pick one up at the museum or join the Friends of Bartlesville History Museum organization," said Museum Coordinator Delaney Chidester. "All members receive a copy of the newsletter mailed to them each quarter."
Find out more about becoming a friend of the museum here.
|
|
"Take Back' set for April 24
The National Rx Drug "Take Back Initiative" program, sponsored by the Dallas Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration, will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 24. This program allows citizens to safely and legally dispose of unwanted prescription drugs at specific collection sites located throughout the community.
Citizens are encouraged to bring any prescription drugs they wish to dispose of to the following locations, no questions asked:
- Bartlesville Police Department 615 S. Johnstone Ave.
- Bartlesville Fire Station No. 3, 100 S.E. Madison Blvd.
- Bartlesville Fire Station No. 4, 3501 Price Road
No needles, cleaning supplies, or general household waste should be placed in the boxes. Pill medication may be in the original container, zip lock bags or loose. Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative and should not be placed in collection containers. For more information, contact the police department at 918.338.4001.
|
|
|
|
|
Cimarron Transit offers free rides for COVID-19 vaccines
Cimarron Transit, the company that manages and operates the City of Bartlesville's public transit system CityRide, is providing free in-town rides to assist citizens wanting the COVID-19 vaccine. Riders must reside in Bartlesville and have an appointment scheduled.
All rides are subject to availability. To schedule a ride, call 918.336.2233.
|
|
Board, Committee & Commission Openings
The City of Bartlesville has numerous boards, committees and commissions that are driven by citizen volunteers. All citizens are encouraged and welcome to apply.
Board applications are located online and in the city manager’s office, located on the second floor of City Hall, 401 S. Johnstone Ave. Applications are kept on file for two years. To view a complete list, see Boards, Committees & Commissions.
The City currently has the following committee/board openings:
- Two openings on the Ambulance Commission
- One opening on the City Planning Commission
- One opening on the Construction and Fire Code Appeals Board
- Two openings on the White Rose Cemetery Board
|
|
Job Listing
The City of Bartlesville is currently accepting applications for the following positions:
|
|
Want City Beat delivered to your inbox each week? Sign up!
|
|
Kelli Williams, Editor
401 S. Johnstone Ave.
Bartlesville, OK 74003
918-338-4132
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
