Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated September 10, 1996 Item # -2-q Date: September 10, 1996 COUNCIL ACTION FORM SUBJECT: MAIL BOX PLACEMENTS BACKGROUND: Staff was contacted in July by several residents about a mail box at 2601 Oakwood Road that was being constructed of concrete block. They were concerned that this would provide a hazard to motorists since it was precariously close to the edge of the street (within 6 feet). After responding to the complaint, staff verified that it was a roadside hazard because it encroached into the clear zone distance in the right-of-way. After contacting Jack Lateral, Federal Highway Safety Official, he reported that even though the mail box is not anchored to the foundation, it creates a safety hazard since the cement blocks could "fly" through the motorist's windshield if it is hit. He indicated that the mail box should be located at least 14' from the edge of the street for safety purposes. This coincides with the clear zone distances as recommended by AASHTO's (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) Roadside Design Guide. This setback distance is based on the 40 mile per hour speed limit, uncurbed pavement, and an existing traffic volume (1 ,600 vehicles per day) on the street. In addition to being a safety hazard for motorists, staff also believes that the existing mailbox creates a potential problem for snow plow drivers. This is due to the problems encountered after heavy snow falls when high drifts are present along the street. During these snow emergencies, snow plow operaters have difficulty discerning street fixtures due to the high drifts and may hit the mail box when plowing the streets and shoulder. (Incidentally, the mail box is within the 8' shoulder area.) This event may cause damage to the snow plow equipment, mail box, and may injure the snow plow driver. Staff contacted and discussed the situation with Don and Beverly Wandling, and advised them that an encroachment permit would be needed to maintain the mailbox. (Subsequently, they have requested to obtain an acroachment permit for the mailbox.) However after checking, staff found that the City currently does not have a policy allowing any mailbox placements in the right-of-way without an encroachment permit. Obviously, property owners have been allowed to install these mailboxes without a permit. This practice has led to little or no problem until the Oakland Street � mailbox issue surfaced concerning a nonbreakaway installation in the right-of-way. Nonbreakaway hazards in the right-of-way have normally been handled as encroachments since they are permanent installations. However, mailboxes have not been considered an encroachment in the past. CAF - Mail Box Placements September 10, 1996 Page 2 Due to this..Oakfarid Street mailbox situation, staff believes that an official City policy should be established for allowing nonbreakaway post mounted mailboxes in the right- of-way. With this policy, the property owner would not need to obtain a permit for this breakaway type of installation. However, the owner would be required to obtain a permit for installing any other type of installation that does not conform to the standard break-away installation. According to the Federal Highway Administration, the standard breakaway support can be no larger than a 4 inch by 4 inch wooden post, or a 2-inch diameter standard steel or aluminum pipe, buried no more than 24 inches. Also, the mailbox must be securely attached to its post to prevent separation if struck. Attached are diagrams showing examples of breakaway post supports. The more sturdy mailbox supports that are not breakaway support types could damage vehicles or cause injury. These installations include heavy metal posts, concrete posts, miscellaneous items of farm equipment, milk cans (filled with concrete), blocked structures, and other potentially dangerous supports. Since the nonbreakaway posts are a danger to the traveling public, they should be placed outside of the clear zone. This clear zone distance can range from 7' to 46' from the outside pavement edge depending on traffic conditions. On most City arterial streets, the clear zone distance would range from 10' to 18'). Under most conditions mailboxes are placed in the clear zone since they must be placed along the roadway shoulder or street curb to meet postal regulations, thus they need to be breakaway style. ALTERNATIVES: 1 . Adopt a policy allowing breakaway mailboxes to be installed in the right-of-way. Under this policy, authority would be delegated to staff to approve any requests for nonbreakaway mailbox installations and to issue permits if the installation does not create a dangerous situation. With this policy, the request from Don Wandling to maintain the Oak4and�treet mailbox would be denied by staff. C0 2. Same as above, but allow the City Council to review and approve requests for nonbreakaway mailbox installations and to issue encroachment permits. 3. Same as # 1 , but approve Don Wandling request to maintain the blocked mailbox on Oak4affd Street provided he executes an encroachment permit and files the appropriate insurance documents. CAF - Mail Box Placements September 10, 1996 Page 3 MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION: It is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt alternative number one thereby adopting a policy allowing breakaway mailboxes to be installed in the right-of-way. Under this policy, authority would be delegated to staff to approve any requests for nonbreakaway mailbox installations and to issue permits if the installation does not create a dangerous situation. With this policy, the request from Don Wandling to maintain the Oakland Street mailbox would be denied and he would be instructed to remove the current installation. It is further recommended that the City Attorney be directed to prepare an ordinance codifying this policy. COY COUNCIL ACTION: I FPOt.} /..t IES POST OFFICE S I S2._32�72>:i ✓_�_ 1 8 I -? _c 9G 2 -S✓=t UNITEDSTMTES PO--. LiL SER1p6E FACSIMILE COVER LETTER PLEASE DELIVER THE FOLLOWING PAGES TO: JOHN KLAUS FROM: DAVID L. MASSARINI FAX: (515) 2395142 FAX: (515) 232-4723 DATE: 8/21/96 NUMBER OF PAGES (INCLUDING COVER): 7 COMMENTS: Information as requested. If I can be of assistance, please call me at (515) 232-0120_ 8-2 i—1 996 2:3SPI"I FF'OM AHES ✓OST OFFICE S?S232.1 i2.3 P. 21 Exhibit A A,Er 1 `I j Exhibit 8 xt, City Motorized, Rural,and Highway Contract Box Delivery Routes Customers must use only approved traditional or con- temporary curbside mailboxes for new installations or replacements. However, customers may use custom-built curbside mailboxes if the local postmaster gives prior approval and the mailbox conforms generally to the same requirements as approved manufactured curbside mail- Exhibit C boxes, relative to the flag, size, strength, and quality of construction. Carriers on motorized city routes may con- tinue to serve mailboxes designed primarily for use by cus- tomers receiving door delivery,which have been erected and served under previous regulations (see Exhibit 0). However,carriers should advise customers they may use only approved curbside mailboxes when replacing these types of mailboxes. A list of approved manufacturers of traditional curbside mailboxes appeared in Postal Sulletin 21907(11-23-95)and is updated below. For motorized city routes, and where the use of street names and house numbers are authorized on rural and highway contract box delivery routes,the mailbox must dis- play the number on the side of single mailboxes or on the 998 2:26P F✓Ot f At 4ES DUST OFF I C'E S 7 S2324 723 P. 3 POSTAL BULLETIN 2191 S.4-25-96, PAGE 1 a door of grouped mailboxes- If the mailbox is on a street Location other than the one on which the customer resides, the Customers must place mailboxes on motorized city, street name and house number must be on the mailbox. rural, and highway contract routes so a carrier can Safely When rural and highway contract box delivery route cus- and conveniently serve them without leaving his or her tomers have assigned box numbers, the numbers must vehicle, The mailboxes must be on the right-hand side of. appear on the side of single mailboxes or on the door of the road in the carrier's travel direction in all cases where grouped mailboxes,visible to the approaching carrier.The traffic conditions make it dangerous for the carrier to drive street number, box number, and/or any other address to the left to reach the mailboxes,or where doing so would information must be inscribed in contrasting color in neat constitute a violation of traffic laws and regulations letters and numerals not less than one inch in height.In all (Domestic Mail Manual rransifion Book (DMMT) 155.6 instances,placing the owner's name on the box,is optional. exempts apartment houses or other multiple dwellings Motorized city,rural,and highway contract box delivery from this rule). On new rural and highway contract box route customers should be encouraged to group mailboxes delivery routes, all mailboxes must be on the right-hand . whenever practical,sspeciallywhere many mailboxes are side of the road in the direction of the route line of travel. located at or near crossroads, service turnouts, or similar Mailbox placement must contorm with state laws and high- locations. Customers should also paint mailboxes and way regulations. City motorized, rural, and highway con- supports/posts and keep them rust-free- Advertising on tract box delivery route carriers are subject to the same mailboxes and supports/posts is prohibited:Section D041 traffic laws and regulations as other motorists, Customers of the Domestic Mail Manual contains additional informa- must remove obstructions, including vehicles,trash cans, Von about curbside mailboxes. and snow, that impede efficient delivery, Except when a in areas where snow removal is a problem,the Postal mailbox is;temporarily blocked,carriers must have access Service suggests using a semi-arch or extended arm-type to the mailbox without leaving the vehicle unless autho- support(see Exhibit D),which allows snowplows to sweep rized to dismount. near or under mailboxes without damaging supports and easy access to the mailboxes by carriers and customers. klallbox Supports Generally,customers should install mailboxes with the Posts and other supports for ourbside mailboxes are bottom of the mailbox at a vertical height of between owned and controlled by customers who are responsible 3 1/2 to 4 feet from the road surface.However,because of for seeing that posts are neat and adequate in strength and varying road and curb conditions and other factors, the size. Customers should be discouraged from using mas- Postal Service recommends that customers contact the sive mailbox supports that, when struck, could damage postmaster or carrier before erecting or replacing mail- vehicles and cause injury. Heavy metal posts, concrete boxes and supports, posts,and miscellaneous items of farm equipment,such as ✓ milk Cans filled with concrete, are examples of potentially Exhibit D dangerous supports,The ideal,support is an assembly that bends or falls away when struck by a vehicle.Post or sup- port designs may not represent effigies or caricatures that ,same r:iCON disparage or ridicule any person. Customers may attach 1 the box to a fixed or movable arm. DMMT 151.5 specifies postal regulations regarding construction and placement of mailboxes and supports on motorized city,rural,and high- way contract box delivery routes. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has determined that mailbox supports no larger than 4 inches by 4 inches,or a 2-inch diameter standard steel or alumi- num pipe, buried no more than 24 inches, should safely break away if struck by a vehicle-The mailbox must also be securely attached to its post to prevent separation if struck. ` Sep Exhibits E and F for exarroes of mailbox mountings A and supports suggested by the FHWA. Continued hex!pag�y 8-21—?996 2:.3GPT•4 FRaf 4t l—E5 POST OFFICE S 1 S2321,1;2.3 PACE 14,4-25-96,21916 PoBrat BuLf 6TIN Exhibit E Cantilever Mailbox Supports SECrI47H w-.a Wood Fal.t(F,I) CWrp O.Gile Et.,.1.... evtomoate leitpipe T 1 r 1/47■s2 Ifg St.c P.O. l } 1/4--S•Sree1 Plpo I"■9-Pipe St..,. ," , Iry _1 tt111 i 1 1/'1-23/1 ♦.yo Ne,lt ls' �.v ere.... seer Pryc l 42' �2 I t/4 5lr.l 61Pf 4 r.•+7-�•y^ ,Yee•a Peai(Fir} 1 11/4 Pi,Xe Covpllne trussed Stone �� t 35 colic../e � 4 t� DI o, Exhibit F Single and Double Mailbox Installations ssnr so ae.ro.■ttt LQ }I■'-t4 l tN-xll ern i� �lttere nOt t} � 1 :.Mnsr+Yrl.,.,'x.wslrc■J.t-'L w�.wi■: �.I.ogtwf.(X. 1 `-XMirit , r.nf XS,,•LrKe.tsr� 1-•VI vJgniz Rl:l Mnll-XL" :! rn nlVt ��- rear•-^i.:,Xv �� � � � � .xr m::•eevirl,esem . s Xntx i Xnli� SPACTOn FOR MULrIPLC POST INSTALLATION ■ 8 ? —?996 2:27PH 1=✓O` 4 4P lES POST OFFICE S?S2321.2722 P_ S Y •213 Residential Housing (Except Apartment House$and Mobile or Trailer Homes) � General. Far all mtn residential ;treats, except <tp;u.l- ( h<�use:; nd mobiJc or trailer homL\ y er Options are either eurhside. sr'dewaik or cent es theraldc liver er under the resul(•itions given b0low. ! deliv- -,::;-h. Curbside Delivery: Delivery m.iv he frrovidcd Ic.) boxes located a; the Curb so they Can be s,ifely :rnd No-7u.s9p rv �� ccanvenierttly served by tyre carrier from his vehicle. c• Sidewalk ficliverv. (1) if the 5idewaOk abuts the. Curb or if tither unusual candilions CxiSt (e,g., the street pork- ins) which make it difficult or irnpratctic;rl ic>inata!! car serve h0xes at the curtiiine, these customers SIal he permitted to ins(<tll ,ill Of their boxes e the sidewalk neaue.et <st the the residence, where they cbE atof rf Ac served by the carrier from the sidewa lk (2) If the average lot frontage is 75feet or less, the hoNes are not required tU be grouped t<arerher, Aux boxes if the aver;rge lot frontage; i5 me>re than 7S feet. the must be installed in sroups of at In t4fe�- (j) If to. he average lot fror:tage rs 50 feet or less, C N customers m;tv kacale their at tile th e e edge.the sidear,ilk nea,rest the residence rather than it the Q curl-,, rei;ardless of whether the sidewalk athms the �k �p curb or other unusual conditions exist. All the bc•,xes ei must he 10cated -qo r` from the sicicwalk. that the carrier care serve them d Cenlral Delivery Central deliver, m:.tv he prav- ided <st cane Ur m0r2 central pciintc within s rCsicier7fi t? housing develc,prnent, Community, or (trca. The I•e- '` quirements for such deliver ire: y (1) The local postal managers must a miulhox tines .ind equipment: Ppros e. the (�) There must be a minimum of two mailboxes erected;tt one site (there is no maximum limit), and (?) The customers will not he required to travel art unreasonable distatnce to ohlatin their mail. u 56-7 E!7 `D 99S 2:37F'M FROM AAIES POST OFFICE 5?S2 S2'47t'.3 P_ CustomerWil Receptacles A04f.2.3 0000 Basic Information _ D040 Delivery of Mail D441 Customer Malt Receptacles 1.0 BASIC STANDARDS Authorized Except as excluded by 1.2, every letterbox or other receptacle intended or used for the Depository receipt or delivery of mail on any city delivery route, rural delivery route, highway 1.1 contract route, or other mail route is designated an authorized depository for mail within the meaning of 18 USC 1702, 1705, 1708, and 1725, Exclusions Door slots and nonlockable bins or troughs used with apartment house mailboxes are 1.2 not letterboxes within the meaning of 18 USC 1725 and are not private mail receptacles for the standards for mailable matter not bearing postage found in or on private mail receptacles. The post or other support is not part of the receptacle. Use for Mail Except under 2.11, the receptacles described in 1.1 may be used only for matter 1.3 bearing postage. Therefore, other than as permitted by 2,10 or 2.11, no part of a mail receptacle may be used to deliver any matter not bearing postage, including items or matter placed upon, supported by, attached to, hung from, or inserted into a mail receptacle. Any mailable matter not bearing postage and found as described above is subject to the same postage as would be paid if ft were carried by mail. Clear Customers must keep the approach to their mailboxes clear of obstructions to allow Approach safe access for delivery, If USPS employees are impeded in reaching a mail 1.4 receptacle, the postmaster may withdraw delivery service_ 2.0 CURBSIDE MAILBOXES Manufacturer Manufacturers of all mailboxes designed and made to be erected at the edge of a Specifications roadway or curbside of a street and to be served by a carrier from a vehicle on any 2.1 city, rural, or highway contract route must obtain approval of their products under USPS Standard 7, Mailboxes, City and Rural Curbside.To receive these construction standards and drawings or other information about the manufacture of curbside mailboxes, write to Delivery and Customer Services Equipment, USPS Engineering. Custom-guilt Postmasters may approve curbside mailboxes constructed by customers who, for Mailboxes aesthetic or other reasons, do not want to use an approved manufactured box.The 2.2 custom-built box must generally meet the same standards as approved manufactured boxes for flag, size, strength, and quality of construction. Painting, The box must bear: identification a. Box numbers, if used; inscribed in contrasting color in neat letters and 2 ' numerals at least i inch high on the side of the box visible to the carrier's regular approach, or on the door if boxes are grouped. b. The house number if street names and house numbers have been assigned by local authorities, and the postmaster authorizes their use as a postal address. If the box is on a different street from the customer's residence, the street name and house number must be inscribed on the box. DMM Issue 50,Q7-01-95 C>-9 ■ D041 2 a Customer Mail Rece tacles owner's Name The box may bear the owner's name. 2.4 Advertising Advertising on boxes or supports is prohibited. 2.5 �-- Posts Posts or other supports for curbside mailboxes must be neat and of adequate strength 2.5 and size.They may not represent effigies or caricatures that tend to disparage or ridicule any person. The box may be attached to a fixed or movable arm. -- Location Subject to state laws and regulations, curbside mailboxes must be placed to allow safe 2.7 and convenient delivery by carriers without leaving their vehicles. They must be on the right-hand side of the road in the direction of travel of the carriers on all new rural or highway contract routes, in all cases where traffic conditions are dangerous for the carriers to drive to the left to reach the boxes, or where their doing so would constitute a violation of traffic laws and regulations. More Than One On rural or highway contract routes, more than one family, but not more than five Family families, may use the same box. A written notice of agreement, signed by rho heads of 2.a the families, or by the individuals who want to}oln M the use of such box, is fited with the postmaster at the distributing office. Locks A box with a lock must have a slot that is large enough to accommodate the 2.9 customer's normal daily mail volume. The USPS neither opens locked boxes nor accepts keys for this purpose. Unstamped Generally, curbside mailboxes are to be used for mail only. However, publishers of Newspapers newspapers regularly mailed as Periodicals may, on Sundays and national holidays 2.10 only, place copies of the Sunday or holiday issues in the rural and highway contract route boxes of subscribers it those copies are removed from the boxes before the next scheduled day of mail delivery. Newspaper A receptacle for the delivery of newspapers may be attached to the post of a curbside Receptacles mailbox used by the USPS if: 2.11 a. No part of the receptacle touches or is attached to or supported by any part of the mailbox. b. It does not interfere with the delivery of mail, obstruct the view of the flag, or present a hazard to carrier or vehicle. c. it does not extend beyond the front of the box when the box door is closed. d. The outside does not display advertising, except the publication name_ D-10 DMM Issue 50,07-01-95 ■