City considering sidewalk all the way to medical center

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

A paved pathway to connect Charles City and a link to fill in the gaps — that’s a footpath that would make pedestrian navigation on South Main a little more user friendly.

The South Main Street Sidewalk Project was on the agenda at Monday’s City Council planning session. The plan seemed to have the support of most council members in attendance and would be a great addition to Charles City’s sidewalk system, according to City Engineer John Fallis.

The sidewalk extension project, with a recommended bid-letting date of March 28, would extend the sidewalk on South Main Street from 9th Street all the way to the Floyd County Medical Center.

“Our goal is to get to the hospital,” said Fallis.

The proposal would place a 5-foot-wide sidewalk on the west side of South Main from the existing walk at the medical clinic building to the southwest corner of the intersection of 9th Street and South Main. Pedestrian curb ramps would also be constructed at 11th and 13th streets, as well as hospital street entrances.

“We’re going to continue to install sidewalks where there are none,” said City Administrator Steve Diers.

There was also discussion about the city’s sidewalk policy and the code requirements for construction. This issue was on the agenda in anticipation of the city performing a citywide sidewalk inspection and expecting many areas identified that would be in need of replacement or repair.

“A sidewalk program is a very attention-grabbing program,” Diers said. “So you want to make sure that you have everything kind of laid out when you get started here. We’ve done a number of missing links and/or school zone areas.”

Diers referenced prior sidewalk projects done on Clark Street and 1st Avenue.

“That’s a slam dunk area that should have had sidewalk. We put it in and paid for it,” said Diers, about Clark Street. “You want to be clear going in what the intent is.”

There was much discussion about possibly changing the city code that now states anyone constructing sidewalks within the city right-of-way needs to be licensed, insured and bonded.

Those stipulations could be eliminated, although the property owner would still need to get a permit from the city to start the sidewalk construction.

“With the permit, they’re still subject to city inspection,” said council member Michael Hammond.

The council has already approved a bid for Cedar Creek Tree Service to trim 2,832 trees that are located along streets in the city’s right-of-way for just over $150,000. City code states that trees need to be trimmed above the street to a height of 15 feet and 8 feet above the sidewalks.

Discussion of a possible change to city code was on the agenda that would allow property owners to trim their own trees in the city right-of-way. Currently private property owners are allowed to trim, remove or cut trees in the right of way, but must hire a licensed professional to do so. The new ordinance would take out that stipulation.

Hammond made a comparison to mowing the lawn, saying the dangers and liability with trimming trees are similar.

“Mike’s example, you mow the lawn, you can cut the tree if you want to. I don’t see much difference,” said Mayor Dean Andrews.

The City Council had approved preliminary plans of the North Jackson Street and South Main Street Asphalt Overlay Project last November. The Iowa Department of Transportation is in charge of letting the project. Two bids were received, with the low bid being $805,949.53 from Heartland Asphalt. The council will need to vote on that bid at a later regular meeting.

A recent malfunction at the water plant has required the purchase of a new slaker. Slakers pump lime into clarifiers to help soften the water. The cost to replace that unit ran from $13,805 to $17,716. Water Superintendent Cory Spieker recommended the $17,000 unit. This would minimize wear and tear on the equipment and reduce call-outs for service.

Another ordinance change was discussed concerning sump pump discharge drainage. An amendment to city code would eliminate separate agreements for each connection.

The council discussed preliminary plans for the North Missouri Avenue Subdrain Project. This project would extend 6-inch diameter subdrain from storm sewer intakes.