Question: I teach here at Lee High School. The traffic department recently re-striped the intersection of Donnybrook and the Loop on our Northeast corner. I see a potential for major problems with the current set-up.
Answer: The original lane configurations have been restored.
Question:
Throughout the recent fires, I hear that there's been some grief from the City of Tyler helping our County Fire Departments. Why would there be grief in helping our fellow partners? Why would there be a question as to not receiving the much needed help here?
Answer:
I have discussed your comments with both the Fire Chief and the City Manager. We are all perplexed as to the source of your perception of "some grief" - as nothing could be further from the truth. The City of Tyler Fire Department has, to our knowledge, never declined a request for assistance from the County. Additionally, we have dedicated extensive resources to fighting the recent wildfires outside the City limits.
I hope this information clears up any misconception about our commitment to assisting our neighbors in need. We appreciate you sharing your concerns with the Mayor and encourage you to continue to do so.
Question:
Why are the fire hydrants open and spurting water sometimes?
Answer:
The running hydrants that you are seeing are part of the management of our water system to maintain the highest quality water as possible. The State mandates that we flush our system and we do this by opening hydrants. Particularly in the hot summer months, flushing the 520 miles of water mains helps to maintain chlorine levels and overall water quality.
Question:
Along with many other Tyler citizens...I don't agree with allowing DD's to open next to Lee HS. I understand that the company that owns El Chico also owns DD's and so a new permit was not required? DD's is using SEX to sell food! and our teens from Lee are going to be going there thinking that's funny looking at the girls serving them barely clothed! We have no Hooters in Tyler and we don't want a DD's here either! Moral decay is a huge reason for our society's decline!Please do something against this!
Answer:
We have received a permit request for renovation at the location you referenced. This is not a zoning change, so it does not go before the Planning and Zoning Board or the City Council. It is simply a building permit. We are not able to legally deny a building permit if the applicant meets all development regulations and state laws.
Our understanding at this time is that the business in question is not considered a SOB (sexually oriented business) and therefore, is not breaking any city ordinances. Also, the City does not regulate liquor licenses – rather the TABC does. We are investigating whether the location will be in violation of any laws given its proximity to the high school.
We will continue to monitor the situation as our scope of jurisdiction permits.
Question:
Why doesn't the City stop using the flashing yellow arrows after the crash that killed a motorcyclist recently? No other city uses them. Is it about money?
Answer:
There are several points that I would like to share in regard to your comments.
-The Tyler Police Chief has reported that the investigation has revealed that the traffic signal had no bearing on the accident. The driver understood what she was supposed to do at the signal. She yielded, looked for oncoming traffic, and upon seeing none, proceeded through the intersection. Unfortunately, she simply did not see the motorcycle who had the right of way. The result would not have been any different if the signal had been a permissive green ball, which is what the flashing yellow arrows replaced.
-Many other cities are utilizing this signal type. Cities such as San Antonio, Garland, Irving, Plano, Richardson, Houston, Waco, etc. have begun installing the Flashing Yellow Arrow signals because a seven year Federal study showed them to be ultimately safer than a traditional permissive green ball and traffic progression is improved through their use. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (the industry-wide regulatory handbook) lists this signal type and the state equivalent will be adding this in the next version.
-Locally, we have gathered data on the first 14 of our signals that we converted. The data shows that not only have the number of crashes not increased, but they have actually decreased by 8%. Before we had flashing yellow arrows, we had t-bone crashes that resulted from a failure to yield the right-of-way. We feel that the new signals have improved the situation; however, drivers must still exercise caution and look for oncoming traffic before turning left.
-Tyler has gone beyond the requirements of the national guidelines and installed a sign at each intersection with a FYA that guides the drivers in understanding them.
Please be assured that choosing to cease use of the signals has absolutely nothing to do with financial considerations. We simply believe, given the data and facts available to us, that they are safer than a permissive green ball and assist in managing the traffic flow through the city.