Members of the Project Wide Advisory Committee are unhappy that Community Development District 5 went “rogue” and put down raised pavement markers without waiting for an engineer’s report.
PWAC members discussed the highly anticipated report on RPMs during a meeting Monday morning at SeaBreeze Recreation Center.
CDD 5 recently agreed to put down pavement markers on its section of multi-modal path at a cost of $12,000.
However, what CDD 5 leaders believed to be a bold initiative was criticized by PWAC members as “going rogue.”
In the report from Kimley-Horn & Associates Inc., the engineering firm representatives “do not recommend” installing RPMs on the multi-modal paths. The report cites concerns that the RPMs could be a trip hazard for walkers and runners and could cause bicyclists to lose their balance.
The release of the study last week prompted Community Development District 12 to back away from its previous desire to move ahead with RPMs on its section of multi-modal paths.
“District 12 was ready to proceed, but after a review of the report, we have concerns,” said CDD 12 Supervisor Dale Martin, who serves on PWAC.
Martin said that he would be reluctant to give any ammunition to hungry trial lawyers.
“We all live in the sue-shine state and we are all concerned about what could happen,” Martin said.
CDD 13’s PWAC representative John Kerrigan agreed.
“If you combine this report with an injured bicycle rider, we will be paying some money,” he said.
David Murray of the Village of Tall Trees, scoffed at the fears about trial lawyers. He urged PWAC members to use common sense and look at the safety factors involved.
“Most of the people I know are afraid to drive their golf carts at night because of all the bright lights coming from other golf carts,” he said. “One of these days there is going to be a night accident and someone is going to get killed or wounded.”
He said he believes the RPMs put down by CDD 5 enhance safety for golf carts, especially at night.
PWAC Chairman Don Brozic said he believed following the advice of the experts is the prudent approach. He made it clear that he believes CDD 5 should have waited for the report rather than jumping the gun and going rogue.
CDD 8’s PWAC representative Duane Johnson agreed that CDD 5’s maverick approach broke with the stated goal of continuity throughout The Villages.
CDD 10 PWAC representative Steve Bova wondered how far some districts might go in stepping outside of the desired uniformity.
“Districts going rogue on their own is a problem,” Bova said. “What if someone wants to paint a tunnel pink?”