Loading ...2009 Street Reconstruction Moving Forward
Pine City Hall was packed full of concerned citizens, Wednesday, who wanted answers regarding the city’s proposed 2009 street reconstruction project. The city is planning a $2.4 million project that includes First Avenue NE, Second Street NE, the forcemain route along Rypkema Road and Fifth Avenue NE as an alternate route. An alternate route means the city can put the project up for bid, and depending on the offers, decide whether or not they want to move forward.
City residents like, Glenn Sobert, said given the state of the economy, they simply can’t afford another assessment.
Sobert’s Comments:
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The city is responsible for paying 100-percent of the cost for shared items like the forcemain through water and sewer charges. Homeowners are responsible for 31-percent of street repairs and the city covers the remaining 69-percent. City Engineer Sean Clark told those in attendance that there may be no better time than now to move forward with the project.
Clark’s Comments:
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Other residents at Wednesday’s public hearing said the assessments are unfair. Kevin Hoffstead says he needs to see specific details on how the value of his property will increase before he pays any more money.
Hoffstead’s Comments:
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Clark says there is no “perfect calculation and always exceptions to the rule” regarding the assessment policy.
Clark said there is a potential for grants and low interest funds to help fund the project. He said he spoke Wednesday with the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development. Clark said that based on the numbers submitted in the application, representatives with the USDA Rural Development indicated that the project is likely eligible for a grant for the water main and water services. The city may also be eligible for a low interest loan for the sanitary sewer and storm sewer portion of the project.
Hear Clark Talk About Grants Impact on Assessment:
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In order to apply for the grants, the project needs to move to the design stage. There is also a chance money from a federal stimulus payment will be available to help offset some of the costs of the project. Councilman Paul Miller said the further along the project the better, because it will be a higher priority to receive the federal dollars. He added that the city can stop the project at any point.
Miller on Moving Project Forward:
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The majority of residents in attendance said they support the city moving to the design stage of the project. The cost of the design is $98,500. Hoffstead said while he does not like the idea of paying more money, he agrees with Miller that now is the time to do the project.
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Mayor Jane Robbins and Clark said they are concerned that if the project did not move forward, lingering problems may cost the city even more in the future.
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The city will now begin the design portion of th project and said residents will continue to receive information as it progresses.