The City Beat is a new column written by Enid City Manager Eric Benson.

Please send your City Beat questions to Enid News & Eagle, c/o City Beat, 227 W. Broadway, P.O. Box 1192, Enid, OK 73702 or e-mail questions to editor@enidnews.com.



Question: When are they going to trim the trees that just clear a car and not a motor home or RV? I called the code department one time and he told me if the garbage truck could go under it, was all that mattered. I think they are about 10 feet tall and it wouldn’t matter if they knocked some branches down, cause it is just steel. Trees that are closer than 3 feet from the curb are the city’s. There are a lot and they just clear some cars. — Lyndel Biby, Enid

Answer: You have a valid concern, Mr Biby, and I sincerely enjoyed chatting with you. (That’s why I ask for a phone number). Maybe I can address it. We enjoyed quite a spirited debate down here at city hall as a result of your inquiry, and I’m pleased you brought this to our attention.

However, the city code actually is very straightforward. First, some background. Our garbage trucks are a little over 13 feet tall. It is, in fact, the responsibility of the city to ensure the trucks have clear passage under trees that overhang the street, and we typically do that; but, the trimming of trees comes under city code, which obligates the property owner to maintain them.

Here’s what it says in Section 7-7-2 (just in case you are an insomniac and need something to put you to sleep) under removal of dead or diseased trees; and trimming trees:

“Property owners shall trim trees so as not to obstruct passage of pedestrians on sidewalks (no limbs below 8 feet), nor vehicles traveling on streets (no limbs below 14 feet) and alleys (no limbs below 12 feet).

The city shall have the right to cause the removal of any dead or diseased trees or the trimming of live trees on private property within the city, when such trees constitute a hazard to life and property, or harbor insects, etc.”

What does that mean? The city can instruct the property owner to keep their trees trimmed. Period. The city can also trim those that need it and ostensibly send a bill to the property owner. Each case is a little different, so we try to apply different, workable solutions and retain our “service first” philosophy.

As for who is responsible, the city code doesn’t make distinction about responsibility except as it applies to distance from the curb. City code directs trees and shrubs will not be planted closer than 4 feet from a street curb without permission from the city engineer.

(You should have seen the look on Robert Hitt’s face when I told him that). Further, you can’t plant a tree closer than 8 feet from a major arterial street without permission. Let me know if you need Robert’s number. From what I’ve seen, there were lots of approvals in earlier days for the planting of trees as some are closer than 4 feet.

It must be something to do with trees being scarcer than hen’s teeth out here in northwest Oklahoma because I am finding there is tremendous emotional attachment on this issue, and there should be. The city will do its part to ensure trees next to streets are properly maintained such that we enjoy 13 feet of clearance. For those with Godzilla-sized RVs, (and some are 16 feet tall I hear) well, maybe you need to stay on the four lane roads as much as possible.

Thanks for the question Mr. Biby. I appreciate your taking the time to help me resolve problems we might not notice here at city hall. Our crews are going to keep an eye out for those limbs that affect traffic flow.

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Question: Approximately three years ago the city of Enid added a fresh coat of slurry to the surface of Wabash between these streets. This was great, and we very much appreciated it. I have lived on Wabash for the last 11 years, and remember well what the traffic is like, with the Enid High School location.

Here is the problem. Wabash has had no parking on the south side along the area from U.S. 81 to approximately Adams. There is parking on the north side. The street paint crews painted the dividing line (white strip) offset to the south to allow cars to be parked on the north and still have ample space to travel both ways. With this last painting it was placed square in the middle. This causes westbound traffic to move across the white line to avoid cars parked on the north side. This means eastbound traffic must be very alert to avoid collisions. This was mentioned to Jim McClain with no actions. It should be taken care of before someone is injured.

The second problem is the area in front of EHS has no parking between certain hours. This is not policed; therefore, when traffic is parked on both sides of Wabash (in front of the school) it becomes one-way traffic. This also causes traffic concerns. — Ken Hubbs, Enid

Answer: Ken Hubbs clearly identified to us a need for action. Good job Ken, great input.

We do need to relocate the stripe down Wabash, as all parking should be on the north side of the road. Jim McClain tells me his team is on it and when Jim says that, you can quit worrying. Jerry Crawford is our street guru and he’s going to remove and relocate the street stripe. As for the parking issue in front of EHS, I need to do some research and see if I can’t pawn that problem off on Kem Keithley, Enid schools superintendent.

You might warn him if you see him first. If that doesn’t solve it, we’ll set up some cattle panels and block off that portion.

Well, OK, so I was kidding about that last part, but it sure gave me a great mental image. We’ll speak to EHS and see what we can do to solve the problem.

I enjoy writing this column, but I won’t have the privilege unless you citizens send me questions. Maybe it’s because you believe we’re perfect down here at city hall and don’t need any suggestions? Maybe you don’t think we’ll respond? Maybe you don’t get my humor, but if you let me practice, maybe we can make a difference and have fun doing so. Send me your questions, suggestions and ideas and I promise I will see to them.



Benson is Enid city manager.