WHEREAS, all policy related decisions of McCracken County, Kentucky (hereinafter “County”) are guided by its duty to safeguard and provide for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens;
WHEREAS, because concrete, brick, stone and other custom made mail receptacles are unable to bend, give or fall out of the way in the event of a motor vehicle collision, such receptacles present a reasonably foreseeable risk of harm to motorists;
WHEREAS, in light of this foreseeable risk, the United States Postal Service’s Postal Operations Manual (“POM”) and the Federal Highway Administration have set forth pertinent safety standards that the County is duty bound to follow and enforce;
NOW THEREFORE, it is presently the intent of the County to accept, adopt and enforce the following mail receptacle safety requirements within the jurisdictional boundaries of the County as stated herein:
Section 1: Curbside Mailbox Safety Requirements:
The County requires that any and all curbside mail receptacles installed or replaced after the effective date of this policy comply with the following safety design requirements:
A wooden support no larger than 4 x 4 inches or a 2 inch diameter standard steel or aluminum pipe; and
Such post shall be buried no more than 24 inches deep to ensure that the post is able to give way in the event of a collision; and
There shall be no potentially dangerous materials used in erecting a receptacle, such as concrete, brick, stone or any other hard/inflexible substances.
Section 2: Exception to Aforesaid Mailbox Safety Requirement:
In keeping with the safety requirements of the POM and the Federal Highway Administration, an exception or variance from the curbside mailbox safety requirements stated in Section 1 above shall be granted upon an applicant’s having obtained written pre-approval from the Postmaster for a varying design and having tendered proof of the same to the McCracken County Judge/Executive’s Office.
Section 3: Reimbursement for Damage to Curbside Mailbox Receptacles:
It is the County’s policy to fully compensate and reimburse citizens for damage to their property that is caused by authorized agents of the County performing in the course and scope of their duties. In the event of damage to a curbside mailbox receptacle, regardless of its original design and construction materials, the County’s duty to compensate and reimburse the aggrieved party shall be limited to an amount equivalent to the cost of replacing a curbside mail receptacle that fully complies with the requirements set forth in Section 1 above.
(Ord. passed 11-27-2017)