By Jim Magdefrau
VINTON – Where are rumble strips needed in Benton County?
The Benton County Board of Supervisors focused on the strip panels at the intersection of the Van Horne Road and Highway 30, at their meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at the service center in Vinton.
Benton County Engineer Myron Parizek said he was asked if the county was going to fill in the rumble strip panel near the residence of June Folkmann. He said the noise the strips make is less than 70 feet from that rumble panel, which was installed by the Highway 30 contractor.
Parizek said he had instructed the DOT (Department of Transportation) to put those rumble strips in, because a few years ago that area was discussed with the fatality at the intersection. Parizek said that two of the three supervisors were strongly in favor of putting the strips at the intersection. Supervisor Tracy Seeman voted against it. He told Seeman he was following what he understood to be the direction from the board.
Seeman put the matter on the the Nov. 5 agenda to discuss this further, more specifically, the panel that is right in front of the Folkmann residence.
At the time of the safety meeting, there were only strips south of the highway. At the time of the fatal accident there were no strips. That intersection is now four lanes. It was two lanes when the accident occurred.
Is the four-lane going to change things? He said time will tell.
Supervisor Chairman Richard Primmer asked about relocating the panel. Parizek said the DOT has put out a standard on where to locate the panel.
Parizek said where there used to three panels now has two panels. The first panel is in advance of the “stop ahead” sign. The second panel is put between the stop sign and “stop ahead” sign. The standard is placing the panel at the 70 percent mark between the “stop ahead” sign and the stop sign.
Several safety suggestions were made through signage, lighting, flashing lights and transversing the current panels. A safety study suggested that rumble strips reduce accidents, but there is a residence that is close and the noise impacts them. They are asking for reconsideration, Parizek told the board.
Primmer asked about moving the strips closer to the stop sign to alleviate the noise. Parizek said there is a concern about stopping in time if the strip is closer to the stop sign.
Primmer observed there are several intersections where this is a safety concern. He understood the Folkmann’s concern, but he didn’t think the county could take the strips completely out.
Seeman suggested sign posts with amber lights on the west side of the road. Seeman also suggested filling in the strips.
Parizek reported traffic accidents for that intersection showed that there were 38 accidents there between 2014 and 2023. Five of them were major. These were all before Highway 30 went four lanes.
Parizek also explained the option of solar lighting at the intersection. This lighting would keep working through a storm.
Lighting at the intersection would have to be paid by the county, but would still need DOT approval, Parizek explained. He also talked about the difference between intersection lighting and destination lighting.
Parizek was asked to talk with the DOT about options on red lights, destination lights, and amber warning signs.
When asked for his input, Sheriff Ron Tippett said he liked the idea of lights and warning signs. The county needs to err on the side of caution, but they also need to accommodate the folks who live near the intersection.
Breeder’s license
Benton Assistant County Attorney Derek Marsh met with the board regarding a game breeder’s license for Jalen Schmuecker.
Marsh said the office received a complaint regarding someone who had a fox farm outside town and he didn’t have the right license to do so and after review of the Iowa Code and stuff he needed to get what is called a game breeder license.”
Marsh said Schmuecker was able to get a breeder’s license and is in compliance with Iowa Law. He said the matter is good to go.
Other business
A Class C Retail Alcohol License was approved for Walnut Ridge Venue.
Jim Magdefrau 