Motley City Council sets public hearing for street/utility improvements project
By Dawn Timbs
Staples World reporter
Plans are in the works for the City of Motley’s proposed 2027 Street and Utility Improvements Project, with construction set to begin next June, pending results of the Nov. 9 public hearing.
The preliminary engineering report was presented by Bryan Drown of Bolten & Menk, Baxter, at the Motley City Council’s regular meeting Oct. 12.
According to Drown’s report, the proposed project includes surface, drainage and utility improvements to the following nine blocks of city streets:
o Front Street, from U.S. Hwy 10 to 300 feet east of 1st Avenue
o Main, Beaulieu, Ash and Cedar streets, from U.S. Hwy 10 to 1st Avenue
o 1st Avenue from Ash Street to Front Street
During his presentation, Drown noted that most of the city’s streets were originally paved in the mid-1980s and have received a minimal amount of pavement maintenance since that time. A study began in 2014 to determine which city streets should be reconstructed and in late 2015, the city began to plan for future road improvements based on the conditions identified. In 2017, a draft preliminary engineering report was prepared, but did not move forward at that time.
Other existing conditions were highlighted in Drown’s recent report as well, including a large crack in the sanitary main at Front Street and 1st Avenue that needs replacing.
In addition to repairs to the sanitary sewer main, there are proposed water main improvements (including replacing existing 6-inch ductile iron pipe installed in 1962 with six (6) -inch PVC watermain); storm sewer improvements (including replacing existing drainage structures and grates and extending storm sewer); and residential and commercial street improvements, both of which would receive bituminous paving and Class 5 aggregate base.
Drown noted that in 2027, Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad will be completing improvements to their crossing surface and gates. The City of Motley will be responsible for 50 percent of the crossing improvement costs and the cost to secure an 80 foot-wide easement over 1st Avenue through BNSF property.
The estimated total project cost is $1,934,500, with financing recommended to come from General Obligation (GO) Bonds which would need to be repaid with either property taxes, special assessments or user charges (utility fees). The special assessments for the proposed project are estimated to total $373,980.
After a short discussion, the council accepted the preliminary engineering report, as presented by Drown. They also approved a motion to set the public hearing for the 2027 Street and Utility Improvements Project for Monday, Nov. 9, 4:30 p.m., at city hall.
Should the project move forward after the public hearing, Drown said it would be good to bid for the project as soon as possible, so construction could begin in early summer.
In other matters the council:
o LEARNED that Fire Chief Todd Judd was absent, due to the department still fighting a fire since 4:30 a.m.
o APPROVED Chief Judd’s request to apply for a Firehouse Subs Grant.
o HEARD the monthly police report from Police Chief Al Yoder, learning there have been 425 calls for the year so far. There were 52 calls during September.
o HEARD the monthly public works report from Public Works Director Bruce Brotherton. He noted that the solar array is up and running at the wastewater treatment plant. Brotherton also shared that the splash pad at Converse Park is “looking good,” noting that much of the work has been completed there. He also reported that the cement gutter in front of Motley Hardware Store (on Beaulieu Street) has been completed. The splash pad is off for the season.
o HEARD the monthly administration dept. report from City Clerk/Treasurer Tami Brotherton. She noted that the city had received a thank you card from the Motley Community Events Organization for their support of the recent Fall Fest. She also noted the city had received a Workers’ Compensation dividend in the amount of $5,966. They suggested the money be used for employee safety.
o APPROVED Tami Brotherton attending the Finance Lab Nov. 18, in St. Cloud.
o APPROVED Tami Brotherton’s request to post ordinance reminders on the city’s Facebook page.
o APPROVED a security system proposal from Heartland Security. The city will purchase two Pro 6 panic button pendants at $90 each for the administrative department. Prior to the vote it was noted that the previously approved security company, Familyr, fell through.
o APPROVED setting a special meeting for Monday, Oct. 26, regarding an ordinance amending the compensation of the mayor and city council members to reflect a 10 percent increase per month. Compensation for special meetings would remain unchanged. The ordinance needs to be passed before the next election.
o ACCEPTED a $20 donation from St. Michael Catholic Church. The church had initially designated these monies to pay for a bingo gambling fee for their Nov. 2 event. But, upon learning there was no fee for this, they opted to donate the funds.
o SET next planning and zoning commission meeting for Monday, Nov. 2, 5 p.m., at city hall.
o NOTED that general elections will be held Tuesday, Nov. 3, at city hall.
o SET next regular council meeting and public hearing for the 2027 Street Project for Monday, Nov. 9, 4:30 p.m., at city hall.
