The Jefferson city council at its June 23 meeting held a public hearing on and then gave the final approval for the Westwood Dr sidewalk project. Although council members Luke Winkelman and Chad Sloan both shared comments against the project, the vote on the motion to approve it was 4-1, with Winkleman casting the “no” vote.
During the open forum portion of the meeting, before mayor Craig Berry opened the public hearing Margaret Martens, who frequently walks along the portion of the project on W. Lincoln Way, said she is totally in favor of the project, noting that people have literally driven at her while she walked. “It fits with what most communities in Iowa seem to be doing having sidewalks for people. It encourages people to be healthier, having sidewalks for them,” she said.
Russ Gettler address the council, questioning why the city intended to pay for the entire project rather than assessing property owners. “I don’t know why the city is trying to pick up the whole enchilada on this,” he said. He offered that building narrower sidewalks than planned would be a fair solution if the city pays the entire cost. He suggested the city call a referendum on the matter.
City council person Darren Jackson said that years ago the city paid for sidewalks on Lincoln Way because there were none. He named Jim Daubendiek as the source of his information. “I think it was a good thing then, and I think Westwood would be a good thing now,” Jackson said.
Winkelman attended the meeting over the telephone. He said he had heard many comments both for and against the project. He said the council “is addressing the sins of our forefathers” in allowing development on Westwood without requiring sidewalks in the 1907s, and then W. Lincoln Way in the 1990s.
The sidewalks will be closer to the street than in other residential neighborhoods, close enough that snow removed by city plows will be put on the sidewalks. The city now intends to provide snow removal on the sidewalks. “There may be precedent in the city maintaining sidewalks, but I do find in dangerous in terms of the slippery slope,” he said. He noted the challenges of heavy snow and slush on the sidewalks after plowing, “but these are much the same problems than anyone along the street experiences with the DOT floods the treated slush onto their driveways and sidewalks.”
Sloan said he was worried that property owners in the northwest drainage district would be assessed to take care of the problems there, but there would be no assessments against property owners for the proposed sidewalk. He said many people are upset that the city intends to provide snow removal on the new sidewalk.
Council member Matt Wetrich asked city administrator Scott Peterson about the drainage issue. Peterson answered the drainage issue was still being looked and staff “is still working through what a project might look like. Ultimately is does come up being a capital decision about how things would be financed. If it’s a small maintenance project, it very well could just be financed with city dollars.”
After the public hearing closed, Jackson said when he’s driven west on Westwood with the sun setting it’s hard to see people. “It’s been said no one’s been killed there or hurt, yet. I don’t want to wait til that’s something that has happened.”
Total probable cost of the project is $884,000. The council also included a smaller project in the former alley north of Doc’s Stadium in the 100 block of N. Chestnut St at an estimated cost of $65,000.
City engineer Jim Leiding said 29 contractors had plans for the project and there were 11 apparent bidders. He hoped to receive three or four bids. Bids are due July 1 at 3 pm.
In other business, the council approved a pay estimate of $493,074.44 to Evora Energy LLC for the airport fuel farm project; approved a second amendment to an economic development forgivable loan agreement for the upper story at 123 N. Chestnut; approved 28E agreements with the cityies of Churdan, Rippey and Paton for recycling services; and approved a 28E agreement with the city of Rippey for use of the animal shelter.
The council also approved the purchase of a pickup truck from Karl Chevrolet at a cost of $38,872. The truck will be used by the water department. During his report at the bottom of the agenda, Peterson said the city crew is making good progress using a new cutting tool on the jetter to cut roots out of drainage tiles, and that some property owners were already reporting better drainage of their properties.
