By Don Murtha
The City of Mount Angel is preparing to go to bid on the paving of Taylor Street in a project expected to be completed in the spring or summer of 2012.
On Oct. 3, the Mount Angel City Council directed the city staff to prepare the project from Garfield to Alder Street in four segments.
“We will go to bid shortly on all four segments. Afterward the council will clarify which of the blocks will be done,” City Administrator Susan Muir said.
The city council also determined that $20,000 budgeted last June will be spent on sidewalk repairs on Marquam Street from Spruce Street, across the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks to “as far as the remaining money will go.” Muir said the staff is working with the railroad division of the Oregon Department of Transportation on the railroad crossing.
Other considerations for sidewalk work included portions of Taylor Street, Elm Street, and St. Mary’s Avenue. However, the council agreed that Marquam Street should have priority.
The city staff estimated the cost of the sidewalk at $3.95 per square-foot for regular walks and $6.95 for ramps.
The issue of sidewalks arose later in the meeting in a letter from Barbara Bochlser. She told the council that a large tree had damaged the sidewalk at her house and she was having it removed. She requested that the city have the sidewalk fixed.
“It is just a small section but several people have fallen. It is a hazard and the sidewalk has lifted and started to crumble,” she said.
Councilor Teresa Kintz said the city should fix the sidewalk. “We are responsible, in a way,” she said.
In discussion it was noted that it is the property owner’s responsibility for sidewalks abutting on private property, but the city has a standing policy to share 50-50 on the cost of sidewalks.
“We could get involved with a flood of letters over this,” Councilor Karl Bischoff said.
“We can talk about the 50-50 program in the future, but I think we can do this for this lady now.,” Councilor Andrew Otte said, adding, “I have no problem with this but I want the public to know we are opening a can of worms.”
“If we start this now we’re going to be in for it,” Councilor Darren Beyer said.
“City ordinance does not prohibit us from fixing the sidewalk,” Otte said, “but the home owner is responsible.”
Kintz said the council should “move on” and no conclusion was reached on the issue.
The council also gave the nod to the purchase of two used police cars to replace aging police cars for the city.
Police Chief Mike Healy said he is looking at long-term strategy for future police car purchased. He said although the two cars the city is proposing to buy have high mileage, the two cars will cost the city $11,000. He said he expects that the city will realize $700 to $1,000 on the sale of two cars the city will sell.
Muir said the city has hired a new finance director, Chaunee Seifried. She will be working with Cindy Buchheit on payroll for additional officers and help for Oktoberfest. Muir said the staff is also preparing for the annual audit, which is expected to be held in late October.
John Gooley, Oktoberfest board president, appeared before the council to thank the city for its cooperation during the recent festival. “It was a great success and we are grateful to the city for the team work.”
He said the paving of Cleveland Street, cooperation with police and fire agencies and city staff made the event “a great success.”
