Council firm on how to assess improvements
Five property owners on South Roosevelt Street attended a public hearing Monday regarding a special assessment for curb, gutter, and street overlay.
Only two of the five in attendance chose to speak.
Roger Schwab, who has the most front and will be assessed the most, vehemently opposed the way the city divided costs.
He said it was not fair for property owners to have to pay for the cul-de-sac. He suggested adjoining property owners be charged by total area of lots or how much of the lots are used instead of by frontage.
“There is no equity,” Schwab said.
Jay Christensen said he was concerned about access to his property during construction. He said he understood what Schwab was saying but did not agree with him.
“We all had choices of what we wanted to buy,” Christensen said. “It’s nothing new how the city is charging for curb and gutter.”
Contractor Davey Hett said he would work with residents. One lane will be open during the beginning of the construction, but when the street is poured, no traffic will be allowed on it for four to five days.
Total cost of the project will be $87,000. Property owners in the 800 block of South Roosevelt Street will pay through a special assessment, based on property’s footage adjoining the street. Costs will be assessed through county property taxes over 10 years. Total assessments will ranges from $6,119 to $9,024.
Later in the meeting, the council approved an ordinance ordering the special assessment.
Construction will begin in August.
Cedar and Eisenhower
All asphalt, storm sewer, and inlets have been installed on North Cedar Street. Landscaping and seeding remains to be finished in the first three blocks. Curb, gutter, and asphalt have been removed from Sherman to Hudson streets.
On Eisenhower Drive, all storm sewers and inlets have been installed. Asphalt has been laid, and the street may be open to two-way traffic this week. Two entrances need to be installed and may be completed this week.
The city and county will begin repairing soft spots from Kellison to U.S. 56 on Cedar Street. The city will remove and haul material from the soft areas and the county will install and compact new base material.
In related matters:
- Blade work will begin on the 100 block of North Roosevelt Street. When construction of Cedar and Eisenhower streets is completed, bids will be requested to overlay at least one block of the street. Construction vehicles damaged the street while transporting materials. The city, not the contractor, will pay for the repairs because it is difficult to lay all of the blame of the damage on the construction company, City Administrator David Mayfield said.
- A change order for $119,473 was approved to include the 400 and 500 blocks of Cedar Street in the overlay project. An additional $58,411 also was approved for engineering fees.
