Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is my wheel
tax money used for?
A: Wheel tax funds are deposited directly into
the Street Fund. Funds are utilized only for street-related activities
by law. The City tries to match annual street resurfacing projects with
an amount equal to funds received. Currently, the City receives
approximately $285,000 annually from the wheel tax.
Q:
What is Highway Allocation money and how is it determined?
A: Highway Allocation Fund monies are the funds
distributed by the State of Nebraska from the collection of Gas Tax
collected on motor fuel at the pump. Funds are distributed by a formula
established by the State that utilizes population size and lane miles of
streets in the formula for distribution. As our community grows in
population and increases its street inventory in lane miles, our
allocation factor increases. The conversion of a gravel street to hard
surfacing increases our lane miles as well as any street widening or
addition of new street subdivision development.
Q: How do I request that my street
be paved?
A: To request the paving of a new street, a
Street Improvement District must be created. Property owners in an area
may petition a new district be created in their neighborhood. To start a
petition, contact David Wacker, City Engineer at
Email Dave Wacker or
Rodney Davison, City Surveyor at
Email Rod Davison.
Either can be reached by telephone at 461-2330. They can assist in
preparing the petition with the correct boundaries before it is
circulated by property owners.
Once completed, the petition should be returned to the
City Engineer, and the City Surveyor will verify the signatures and
legal descriptions of the property owners. If the petition contains
signatures of owners of 50.0% or more of the frontal footage, a Street
Improvement District will be created by City Council. Work will then
begin to prepare plans and specifications, advertise the district for
bids and construct the new street.
Q: Where do I call
for repairs to my street, such as potholes?
A: To report a pothole or other damage to a
street that is in need of a repair, contact the Street Department at
rdouglas@cityofhastings.org or by telephone at 461-2341.
Since there are many repairs that need to be made each year, the Street
Superintendent will evaluate and prioritize all requests.
Q: Where
do I report a traffic control sign or street sign that is missing or
damaged?
A: If you notice a traffic control sign or a
street sign that is missing or damaged, call the City of Hastings Street
Department at 461-2341. If the damage could potentially cause a driving
hazard, call the Emergency Communications Center at 461-2364 and report
the sign immediately. A Street Department crew can then be dispatched to
the scene.
Q: There is
trash or debris in the roadway blocking traffic, who should I call?
A: Call the Hastings Street Department at
461-2341. If the trash is causing traffic problems or could potentially
cause an accident, call the Emergency Communications Center at 461-2364,
and a Street Department crew will be dispatched.
Q: Where do I
report a street light or traffic light that isn't working properly?
A: Street and traffic lights which are not
working should be reported to Hastings Utilities at
463-1371.
Q: How do I
request a new street light or street sign be installed?
A: To request a new street sign (such as a stop
sign) or a new street light be installed, please put your request in
writing addressed to David Wacker, City Engineer at
Email Dave Wacker or mail to 220 North Hastings Avenue, Hastings,
Nebraska. The City Engineer will evaluate the request and make a
recommendation to the City Council, who has the final say in such
matters.
Q: I need to locate my property
pins, will the City help?
A: The City Surveyor, Rodney Davison, can help
give you instructions on where to locate your pins if a survey has
previously be done on the property. He can be reached at
Email Rod Davison or at 461-2334 However, if you still cannot find
them or if there is no survey on record, you must contact a private
surveyor. There are several qualified, experienced surveyors listed in
the Yellow Pages of the local telephone book.
Q: I would like to know
the traffic count for a certain area or Hastings, who do I contact?
A: The City Engineer’s office conducts traffic
counts for different areas of town and keeps the information on file. To
obtain a traffic count, contact Brent Brooks, Engineering Assistant I at
Email Brent Brooks or by telephone at 461-2333. We hope to have a
traffic count map available on this webpage in the future.
Q: A storm knocked down
tree limbs, will the City pick them up?
A: The City will pick up and dispose of any tree
limbs from terrace trees. Please contact the Parks Department at
461-2324 to notify them of downed limbs. The City, however, cannot pick
up limbs from trees on private property (yards). Do not move trees from
within the yard onto the terrace, the City will not pick these up.
Q: There are flags
on my yard or terrace, what work is being done?
A: Unfortunately, at this time there is no way
to accurately tell by the flags what work is being planned. Anyone who
has an easement or interest in a property can call Digger’s Hotline to
mark the area. It may be for work being done by the City, Hastings
Utilities, Charter Communications or others.
|
