Niles council fails to override Mayor's guardrail veto
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It's the first time in 30 years a Niles Mayor has vetoed legislation.
21 News reported earlier this week about a Niles intersection deemed a safety hazard, leading to ongoing disputes on how to fix the issue. Accidents occur when drivers fail to turn left or right, with neighbors citing impaired driving and sunlight being a distraction.
The city council attempted to fight Mayor Steven Mientkiewicz on his stance, but to no avail.
The majority of Niles council members were in favor of adding a guardrail at Robbins and Hartzell. Four of the seven council members voted to override the Mayor's veto on Wednesday, but five votes were needed to stop the Mayor's decision.
"It wasn't meant to be," said Councilman Doug Sollitto. "We spent a whole lot of time on a guardrail that I felt should be a simple issue. If nothing ever goes wrong, nobody notices. The minute something does go wrong, there's going to be lawsuits, somebody injured, or killed."
Mayor Mientkiewicz is following ODOT's stance along with suggestions from the city's traffic coordinator, advising against a guardrail at the accident-prone intersection.
ODOT doesn't believe there are enough accidents to justify the guardrail and noted liability risks if improperly installed.
"This type of issue, I can tell there was a personal attachment and an emotional attachment," Mientkiewicz told 21 News. "And we don't like to make decisions that would ultimately affect people's lives based on emotion, opinion, and politics."
Mientkiewicz believes the double-arrowed sign already meets standards but the council said the guardrail is already purchased and ready to be installed.
But Mayor Mientkiewicz told 21 News the city doesn't own the guardrail, contradicting the council's statement.
"It's a danger," said Richard Strong of Robbins Ave. "It's a danger to the pedestrians. It's a danger to the people sitting on the front porch. We see at least ten times a year people go up over the curb and onto the sidewalk."
"If it's not illegal, be a financial burden, or be a harm to our neighbor, we should look this getting done," Sollitto said. "We are elected by the people to try and meet their needs. We should not have our own goals."
Councilman Jimmy Julian said the council has also considered professional opinions. Julian added they could explore other options if the double arrow sign isn't enough.
"There are 15 other t-roads on Robbins Avenue," Julian told 21 News. "If we would do that for just that specific road, then what other road wouldn't warrant a guardrail?"
"We are going to continue to monitor the intersection of Hartzell and Robbins," Mientkiewicz added. "This was a decision made based on fact, personal, and professional recommendations."
There are no planned efforts to install a guardrail at this point, leaving this concept dead in the water, for now.