6. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS a. Discussion regarding a request by the Richfield Volunteer Fire Company (RVFC) to consider the installation of "Address Markers" throughout the Village.
This request was based on the fact that there are some Richfield residents who have not placed address markers at the entrance to their property and therefore it delays fire and rescue response when trying to respond to an emergency.
Now is the time for all Richfield residents to take action and place address markers at the entrance to their property. Many already have their address marked on their mail boxes or decorative light poles at the entrance to their property.
Now is the time to show the RVFC that you too are concerned for your safety and want to make it easy to receive the great service they provide to all Richfield residents. Contact the village for additional information about village code relative to address markers.
In August, the Village received a written communication from the Richfield Volunteer Fire Company Chief Terry Kohl regarding their desire to have the Village Board consider the budgeting and placement of address marker signs on properties throughout the Village. On October 2nd, Village Staff was invited to attend a Fire Company Board of Directors meeting to discuss potential costs related to the expenditure and timelines for implementing the same.
At this meeting, Village Staff conveyed that on the advice of the Village Attorney this would need to be a planned general fund expenditure that was budgeted for as a part of our normal budgeting process. Given the six-figure amount of money that was estimated as a part of this process, Staff communicated that the only way this project would be financially feasible would be to budget for the expenditure over a series of years as a part of our Capital Improvement Plan or remove a road from the proposed Highway Improvement Plan- 2018 Village Budget. Additionally, if the matter was taken in parts, the Village would rely on the expertise of the Fire Company to identify those areas that would benefit from having the markers installed. However, there would be a strong likelihood that the per sign cost with installation would rise if done in sections or quarter-sections of the Village.
Based on this discussion, the Board of Directors has decided to suspend their request to the Village for the installation of address markers. Instead, the Fire Company has decided to work on a public awareness and outreach campaign which the Village would gladly partner in, to raise awareness about the importance of ensuring individual properties have addresses that are clearly marked. Additionally, the Village will work with the Richfield Volunteer Fire Company on a review of its existing ordinances relating to address markers to see how other surrounding area communities are regulating the same.
Source: Village of Richfield Board meeting packet.