[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6496649,"mediaKeyId","5590568-9134e7281c1dcbfde5b739d3d486ea1d","parentId",5590568,"title","Sedgwick County commissioners debate mailbox exemption during 4 Oaks road project; staff to draft policy","audioSeconds",1190,"startMs",426000,"endMs",1616000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5590568-9134e7281c1dcbfde5b739d3d486ea1d&start=426&end=1616","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5590568-9134e7281c1dcbfde5b739d3d486ea1d/thumbnail_426000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6496649/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Sedgwick-County-commissioners-debate-mailbox-exemption-during-4-Oaks-road-project-staff-to-draft-policy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496649-952187f67d1f734184e3b5048256a1a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770597531&Signature=mtxZD~NVkzjIBA9B37BKlapaWXwrJe17x7syEIhfLbrBBKEdv4EJJR9X~Ao97~BUCpKSd2wphwfu8qQL2L8n8t-dYV0~mz2oJl1ntBRfV4IMJS931xBsUoU2nlLIyoDQt104hsgclPmITfW6ohll9LOVJi0echFg4Ud5nNxBCAX97gvevIHbblksnKVFugqrKd2hj6uumjXFanWyjt8rWzCk2bc503UdcLMxbmQYEzzUUDOcRKNPyfeE72L-tB~47fyeYQoQ~dx80iedFg9sRWI-lUOVaTGdUwbcY6HlRrliDBem7iDzaq3tWFxVdgah4wd73oBcfd15N2POAqYdwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sedgwick County, KS","date","2025-08-16T03:51:29Z","article","Sedgwick County commissioners discussed whether to allow a resident to keep a secure parcel mailbox in place during an ongoing neighborhood road and ditch project in the 4 Oaks subdivision, and directed staff to draft a countywide mailbox policy with possible short-term variances.

The dispute centers on a single property where the mailbox owner, John Rolfe, has not removed a decorative, parcel‑capable mailbox while his neighbors complied and removed theirs as part of a neighborhood‑initiated construction project. Lynn, a Sedgwick County public-works staff member, told commissioners that all seven of Rolfe’s neighbors have removed similar mailboxes and that the county’s safety standard is that roadside fixtures be breakaway. “All 7 of his neighbors have had their mailboxes removed,” Lynn said. “The crux of everything comes down to the fact that he's on a cul de sac.”

Public-works staff argued the mailbox must be removed because it constitutes a rigid roadside obstacle that could increase injury or damage if struck. Lynn noted that, by state statute, the speed limit on the 4 Oaks cul‑de‑sac currently reads as 55 mph and said that even on slower local streets fixtures must be breakaway. “If you got a mailbox, it's out the edge of the road … it still needs to be breakaway,” Lynn said.

County Manager Tom and other staff said the contractor paused work so the county could seek a resolution, but further delays could trigger remobilization charges. Staff told commissioners the paving work itself can proceed without removing the mailbox, but ditch and culvert work adjacent to the parcel would require redesign and would incur extra cost if the mailbox remains in place. Staff also said the neighborhood is paying 100% of design and construction costs for the improvements.

Several commissioners said they support creating a mailbox policy to clarify when locations or designs may qualify for variances, and to avoid ad hoc decisions in future projects. Commissioners discussed the possibility of bifurcating a policy — approving a quick, narrow variance process for immediate construction conflicts while developing broader standards over months. One commissioner urged an allowance for “reasonable exceptions,” such as unique parcel mailboxes at the end or throat of a cul de sac where vehicle speeds and site context differ from through arterials.

Because Rolfe waited until construction began to request an exemption, staff said the county faces a tight timeline: the contractor has already adjusted sequencing once and further delays could produce extra costs. Staff said an interim administrative exception or variance could be drafted quickly to resolve this single property while the full policy is developed.

Commissioners asked staff to return with recommended language and with options that limit fiscal exposure to the county, including who would pay for any redesign and remobilization if a variance is granted. The commission did not adopt a final policy at the meeting and no formal vote on the mailbox itself was recorded.

The discussion will continue at a future staff meeting; staff were directed to prepare policy options and a narrowly scoped emergency variance to resolve the present construction timeline if possible.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sedgwick County Board of Commissioners Agenda Review - 8/15/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Sedgwick County commissioners discussed whether to allow a resident to keep a secure parcel mailbox in place during an ongoing neighborhood road and ditch project in the 4 Oaks subdivision, and directed staff to draft a countywide mailbox policy with possible short-term variances.","taxTitle","Sedgwick County, Kansas","taxId",2883,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6496644,"Commissioners call for review of high‑speed intersections after fatal crash; staff to brief CIP and interim measures",1033,1665000,2698000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5590568-9134e7281c1dcbfde5b739d3d486ea1d&start=1665&end=2698","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5590568-9134e7281c1dcbfde5b739d3d486ea1d/thumbnail_1665000.jpg","/articles/6496644/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Commissioners-call-for-review-of-highspeed-intersections-after-fatal-crash-staff-to-brief-CIP-and-interim-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496644-d8d0fb0f0482371e721086f125450503/orig.mp4?Expires=1770597531&Signature=jGM1s~ol9DdPjN4rVtRhY2xhK56luv5BMbf0v9qQm0n0PTjvA6FwaWRGVfsZGOvb4M7BWNaExyM9s~EaLmqhZvMMb361K~ZZ~At-Kks23R3TKwacTrE1Bp4NrOe0dIJG7r0qH6qMM3l1akeNRX9sYXjY2hNYlLukwVD6g21nYg0HNx6txZYR8BYCEurT5NOxAeHNsJpSzrrAFeEctmNl6h9VKJrO7-w2SOL8Xn2Ce2RJn2tzOFi5JGlKsJFhNNuczaux-gSEEMPi6N0dx0NIvGAcDdzN6aqo05DuzNoEu7GdAtGK~Sq6q9OCrjxOx7U5IMAsz8qFtlhDxmEgd0tqgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sedgwick County commissioners asked staff to reexamine safety measures at several high‑speed rural intersections after a fatal crash the county reported the previous day at the intersection identified in the meeting as “20 Ninth and A Hundred And 30 Fifth.” Commissioners said they want staff to present both short‑term countermeasures and the timeline for capital improvements already in the county’s CIP.

A commissioner opened the discussion by noting a recent fatal collision at the intersection described in the meeting transcript and urging a faster review of safety options as school starts and traffic increases. Commissioners and staff discussed potential interim actions — including larger stop signs, “cross traffic does not stop” advance signage, flashing beacons, and rumble strips — and agreed to bring the topic to staff for a focused briefing.

Public‑works staff said the intersection and several nearby segments are already under design in the county’s CIP and that consultants have been tasked with recommending appropriate improvements for the corridor. Lynn, a county public‑works staff member, told commissioners that the county will “reengage and reupdate our … analysis of this intersection based on the information that we received from this in the next couple of weeks,” and suggested intermediate measures such as larger signage or cross‑traffic warnings while the full CIP work proceeds.

Commissioners who raised the item emphasized human factors such as distracted driving and the limited effectiveness of signage when drivers become habituated. Several commissioners urged the use of low‑cost, attention‑getting measures like rumble strips and larger, higher‑visibility signs earlier in the mitigation hierarchy in lieu of immediately pursuing more expensive options such as signalization or roundabouts.

Staff agreed to aggregate recent crash data and present trend analysis for the commission, including the number of similar high‑speed, two‑lane intersections where one approach stops and the other does not. The sheriff’s office and law‑enforcement partners were expected to be included in the staff briefing to address enforcement and to help identify causal factors documented in crash reports.

Commissioners did not take a formal vote at the meeting but asked staff to report back with a timeline for interim fixes that could be installed quickly and to explain how those measures relate to longer‑term CIP improvements for the corridor.","Following a fatal crash at 209th/135th‑style intersection (transcript: “20 Ninth and A Hundred And 30 Fifth”), Sedgwick County commissioners asked staff to reexamine a set of near‑term safety measures — larger signs, flashing beacons, rumble strips — and to speed design work already in the capital improvement program for the corridor.","actionData","errors"]

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Sedgwick County commissioners debate mailbox exemption during 4 Oaks road project; staff to draft policy

Commissioners call for review of high‑speed intersections after fatal crash; staff to brief CIP and interim measures