Motley moves forward on proposed streets project
Following a public hearing July 18, the Motley City Council voted to move forward on a streets improvement project regarding portions of Cimarron Drive, Postel Drive and Lil Street.
The council members present (Pat O’Regan, Al Yoder and Steve Johnson) voted unanimously to move forward on this project, with the next step being to post bids.
Phil Martin, engineer with Bolton & Menk, Inc., said that the “lead up to” the project would take longer than the actual construction. He said the city would need to plan on 22 days of advertizing before awarding the bid. He estimates the work itself can be finished in two weeks time; but recommended opening bids by late August “so they can do the work in September.”
The proposed project area includes portions of:
o Cimarron Drive
o Postel Drive
o Lil Street.
The proposed improvements include minor surface grading and excavation; a class five aggregate supplement; bituminous pavement; and simple T-type dead-end treatments.
The total project is estimated to cost $160,900.
According to the city’s assessment policy, 70 percent of the cost ($112,630) would be paid by the city, with 30 percent ($48,270) to be paid by property owners. The policy also states that the city utilizes the Unit Assessment Method as its basis, with each Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) equaling 2.5 acres.
With an estimated 26 total ERUs in the proposed project area, the proposed assessment would be $1,856.54 for each ERU. Property owners could choose to pay these assessments up front, or have the city carry it, with the agreement of making payments to the city (at a slight interest rate) over the course of 15 years.
Eight members of the public attended the public hearing. These included Holly Cuffe, Joe Anziano, Cindra Harer; George and Cordy Heroux; and Michael, Robyn and Wesley DeLong, all of Motley.
Martin explained that the city has received complaints about these roads, including potholes, washboarding and dust.
He went on to note that there has been a drastic reduction in the cost of bituminous, so if the city were to consider paving these roads, now would be the time to do it. Martin said that the proposed improvements “are very simple. Not a lot of earth work required.”
Most of the public comment seemed to be in favor of the project. Cuffe, who lives on Postel Drive, said she thought it was a great idea, as she has experienced a lot of issues with potholes.
George Heroux, who also lives on Postel Drive, said he was also supportive of the project. “My car is dirty all the time. With oil prices, this may be the best opportunity we will have to get black top. I don’t think it will get any cheaper.” Heroux also believes this project will improve the value of his property and in the long run help with saleability.
Wesley DeLong said his family lived on Cimarron Drive, which does not get as much traffic at Postel. Although he believes it would be a good idea as far as resale of their property, “I would say we’re not for it because of cost,” he said. He went on to ask whether or not they could get their driveway paved at the same time, if the project were to pass. He was told that this would be possible, but that they would have to pay for that on their own.
Cindra Harer, who also lives on Cimarron Drive, expressed concern about the price as well. “I’m on a fixed income and can’t afford higher taxes,” she said.
The council said they believed the city had a program in place to help people who need it, including the disabled and those on fixed incomes.
