The Jefferson Street/Sewer and Sanitation/Water committees met earlier this week in regular session.
The Street Committee had a discussion with Chip Baltimore, a consult with BA Consulting Group in Boone, about a curb cut width issue. Baltimore’s client, John Hamliton, wanted to install a three-vehicle garage on his property at Briarwood Estates. However the City’s ordinance only allows for a 24-foot-wide curb cutout for driveways. Baltimore asked if there could either be an ordinance change to allow for a wider curb cut to match the width of the garage space, or have a variance included in the ordinance. The committee decided to review the proposal with city staff and then make a proposal to the planning and zoning commission.
The Street Committee then gave permission to Jefferson Matters: Main Street for a new October promotion of a Scarecrow contest on the square, allowed for a military convoy to park their vehicles on the inside part of the square for this Saturday’s event, and gave permission to resident Nathaniel Chapman to remove existing sidewalk from his property in the 900 block of West South Street. Chapman would pay the expenses to have it removed and there is no other sidewalk connected to it.
The Street Committee then reviewed engineering proposals from Bolton and Menk for two walking path projects. One proposal was for $94,300 of engineering fees for the Greenewood and Central Avenue projects. The other proposal was for $100,000 of engineering fees for the East Entryway project on Lincoln Way. The construction cost of the projects have not been determined, but have been included in an overall bond issue by the City Council. Work that Bolton and Menk will do includes preliminary and final designs of the projects, along with surveying and bid letting. The committee will recommend the proposals to the City Council for approval. Additionally, the committee will also recommend approval of a general engineering service agreement.
Finally, the Street Committee decided to host a meeting for residents living on Wilcox Street, where parking continues to be an issue for residents. Police Chief Mark Clouse talked with Jefferson Post Master Peg Erickson about installing two banks of mailboxes on one side of the street and parking permitted on the other side. The topic will be discussed by homeowners before a final decision is made.
The Sewer Committee discussed a sewer connection issue with a homeowner at 503 East Vest Street. The homeowner claims one of his utility lines goes over another utility line and has recently caused his sewer line to back up into his home. The committee determined to have a contractor dig up the problem area and then decide how to repair it, at the cost of the City.
The Sewer Committee also allowed Wastewater Superintendent Danny Moranville to purchase a $37,999 camera system from Municipal Pipe Tool Company to use for sewer lines and jet equipment for $65,096 from Mid-Iowa Solid Waste Company. Both bids were within Moranville’s budget.
The Water Committee allowed for the Water Superintendent Tom Schilling to purchase a water main tapping machine for $3,694.
Finally, Public Works Director Dave Morlan gave an update on the automated trash pickup. He said the 95- and 65-gallon trash containers will be delivered next week to residents. He also discussed the Citywide Cleanup Weeks. The committee talked about having a centralized location for residents to drop-off items instead of having curbside pickup. The committee tabled their decision, pending further review.