Steelville Board of Aldermen approved an approximate $20,000 purchase Nov. 2 for four pedestrian-activated crosswalk signs and a driver feedback sign.

Steelville Chief of Police Mike Sherman presented the proposal during the regular board meeting, under which the city would purchase the crosswalk signs through Mobile Tracks, a company that supplies traffic signs to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).

The largest portion of the purchase would cover four push-button pedestrian crossing signs, quoted at $15,592. Once purchased, the signs will be installed in pairs on opposite sides of the roadway at the intersection of First Street and Main Street.

When activated by pedestrians, the four signs will flash simultaneously to alert approaching motorists that someone is attempting to cross the street.

In addition to purchasing the crosswalk signs, the aldermen also authorized Sherman to purchase a driver feedback sign, which displays motorists’ speeds as they approach it. The feedback sign will be placed along Highway 19, which also serves as Steelville’s Main Street, at the bottom of the hill near the middle school. The feedback sign will replace an existing railroad crossing sign at that location that is no longer necessary after the crossing was paved over and designated exempt.

According to Sherman, Mobile Tracks quoted the price for the feedback sign at approximately $4,000, bringing the total estimated cost to $20,000 for the two purchases. The purchases would be funded through the city’s law enforcement tax.

Because Steelville’s Main Street is also State Highway 19, it is subject to regulation by MoDOT, meaning that any signage purchased by the city would have to meet MoDOT criteria, making the purchase more expensive.

“I wasn’t too thrilled at looking at $20,000 for five signs, but if it saves one life, then that $20,000 is well spent,” Sherman said.

Sherman said he had consulted with MoDOT representative Trent Brooks, who toured the proposed installation locations with him. According to Sherman, Brooks indicated that MoDOT would install the signs and provide maintenance after installation if the city agreed to purchase them.

City officials expressed support for the purchase proposal, particularly the pedestrian crossing signs on Main Street.

Steelville Mayor Jason Ward said that the pedestrian crossing signs were “a phenomenal idea,” and cited safety concerns, recalling watching trick-or-treaters attempt to cross the street on Halloween night, noting that poor visibility made it particularly difficult.

“I was driving home on Halloween night, right after it started raining, and I was amazed at how dark it is,” Ward said. “Thankfully, the rain kind of shooed away all the trick-or-treaters. Another very good use for the law enforcement tax.”

Ward 2 Alderman Lula Patterson also expressed concerns over the safety of the crossing.

Patterson said if the new lights save a child’s life at the crossing, then it is a good investment.

“I sit down at the restaurant and watch those kids try to cross. It’s scary,” Patterson said.

Before approving the purchase, Ward 1 Alderman Curtis Crouch raised questions about the agreement with MoDOT and an existing contract which includes provisions requiring the city to submit installation plans for approval and stating that the applicant would be responsible for costs associated with installation.

Sherman said he had discussed the proposed locations with Brooks and understood that the signs could be attached to existing signposts.

Ward said that he was in support of purchasing the signs despite the apparent discrepancy between the details of the written agreement with MoDOT and the conversation between Sherman and Brooks, because even if the city was responsible for paying costs associated with installation, “the price of that is going to be nominal.”

Aldermen approved a motion to proceed with the purchase of both the pedestrian crossing signs and the driver feedback sign, which could take weeks to be delivered, with the understanding that the council would have city attorney Brooks Kenagy to review the agreement and get “all the I’s dotted and the T’s crossed before we get signs,” Ward said.

The installation timeline has not yet been established. Sherman said that while MoDOT agreed to install the signs after they arrive, a firm agreement has not yet been finalized.