MINUTES OF THE ROLAND CITY COUNCIL

PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING

PROPOSED 2010 STREET PROJECTS

MONDAY, APRIL 12 2010

 

Note:  The following minutes were approved by the Roland, Iowa, City Council at the council’s April 26, 2010, meeting.

 

The Roland City Council met on Monday, April 12, 2010, at 7:00 pm, at the Roland Area Community Center, with Mayor Roger Fritz presiding for a Public Informational Meeting on the 2010 proposed Street projects.  Council members present at roll call were:  Duane Canny, Larry Ford, Jeri Neely, and Erin Varley.  Absent was Council Member Corey Johnson.  Also present were Street Superintendent Harold Hovick, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Nathan Hovick and 18 residents from Logan Street and Elm Street.

 

City Engineer Eldon Rossow of MER Engineering presented the plans for the 2010 proposed street projects.  He started with the information on the 100 block of Logan Street.  The project consists of a new street of 7” of concrete or asphalt with a 6” rock base, curb & gutter, new storm sewers and intakes, raising the street so the incline at the Maple Street intersection isn’t so severe and driveway approaches.  The Elm Street project from Main Street to Linn Street consists of a new street that has been lowered to keep the water off the sidewalks, and widened to a width of 31’ or 36’ with 7” of concrete or asphalt with a 6” rock base, curb & gutter, new storm sewer and driveway approaches.

 

The council is asking that the abutting property owners voluntarily participate in the street projects at a cost of $22.00 per running foot of frontage property, which is what the cost to install curb & gutter is estimated to run.  Payments can be assessed to the homeowner’s property tax over a ten year period with interest or they can pay the bill in full within thirty days of receipt of the bill.  If the council decides to continue with the proposed projects and 100% of the residents are not willing to participate through a voluntary assessment, the council can impose an involuntary assessment on the homeowner’s.  Payments will work in the same manner as above, but the council will have to publish and hold several hearings on the assessments.

 

Mayor Fritz opened the floor to the residents for questions and comments.  Several residents had questions and asked for clarification on certain items.  Some of the major questions were:  are these the worst two (2) streets in Roland; why only one (1) bid; does the City have a five (5) year street plan; will they be required to put in sidewalks after the new street is put in and they are assessed for their part of the costs; traffic in and off Logan Street; what happens if the cost come in higher than the amount provided to the property owners; would like to see a the council put together a list and prioritize it.

 

Street Superintendent Harold Hovick stated that these are two streets that needed attention.  There is a five (5) year street plan, but it can change from year to year depending what happens.  For example, the West Park Project.  There is discussion that a street needs to be put in on the south side that will tie Bryan and Arthur Street together and then tonight the discussion on a secondary access to Logan Street.  Nothing in the five (5) year plan is set in stone.

 

Engineer Rossow explained that the costs provided are an estimate.  Since the plans aren’t finalized, they are unable to send them out for bids yet.  When they do, he expects to get four (4) to six (6).

 

The sidewalk issue wasn’t discussed in too much detail, but it was suggested that if the want to install their sidewalk at the same time as the project, the council could allow the costs to be assessed to the property along with the costs for the curb & gutter.

 

The main discussion centered around the need for a secondary access onto and off of Logan Street.  As of now, the Logan Street project will be done a half a side at a time.  There was discussion on an access road being constructed from Bryan Avenue to Industrial Drive.

 

Costs for the assessments will not be known until after the bid letting is completed.  If for some reason the project comes in over budget, the amount that was quoted in the assessment agreement will be the most the property owner will pay for the project.  The rest will be covered by the City.

 

The council agrees that with the upcoming Park project and the need for a secondary access to Logan Street the council needs to put together a Plan of Action and prioritize it.  The council does have a set of Goals that are posted on the City’s website if anyone wants to check it out.

 

Public Input consisted of an overview of what was already discussed with the need for a secondary access to Logan Street being the main concern.

 

Council/Mayor comments consisted of the following:  CM Canny stated that what he is hearing is they are against the project, but would like more information on the projects and a secondary access to Logan Street.

 

CM Ford stated the council needs to put together a Plan of Action, look at a secondary access to Logan Street, put together a 10 year water/sewer/street plan, and he let the residents know that any construction that takes place that effects the City will have more oversight by the Engineer.  They don’t want to end up with streets that are falling apart after three years like we have now.

 

Mayor Fritz reiterated that the council’s approved Goal Setting Report is available on the City’s website for their review, agrees with the need for a secondary access to Logan Street, but stated that Logan Street is still in need of repairs.  Either through maintenance or a total upgrade.

 

CM Varley echoed what Mayor Fritz said and added that he was pleased with the number of residents that came out to learn about the street projects.  He stated that without their input their job as council members is hard to do.  He also asked that those in attendance check to see if their sump pumps are connected properly.  If not, contact Street Superintendent Harold Hovick about how to connect it properly.

 

CM Neely stated that she can not support the proposed street projects.  The council needs to put together an Action Plan and prioritize it.  Then she might be able to support the projects.  She also agrees that something needs to be done to correct the entrances/exits on the west side of town.

 

With no further business at this time, Neely moved adjournment of the meeting at 8:13 pm; seconded by Ford.  All were in favor.  The next regular council meeting will be Monday, April 26, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________                   __________________________________________

Roger Fritz, Mayor                                                         Deneen Frost, City Clerk

 

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