Charles City Council hears feedback on street projects

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

The Charles City Council hit the pavement during their regular workshop meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 24.

The meeting began with a discussion on the 11th Avenue Bike Trail Project, which is planned to get underway this year following a funding agreement with the Iowa DOT.

As part of an extension to the Charley Western Trail, the city plans to utilize 11th Avenue to extend the trail from F Street to North Grand Avenue.

Commenting on the project, visitor Ryan Boehmer asked the council to clarify that converting 11th Avenue into an extension of the bike trail would close that road to vehicle traffic. As a result, traffic to or from E Street to North Grand Avenue will have to use either 9th Avenue or 13th Avenue instead.

The council explained that because 11th Avenue already partially consists of some questionable easements, it probably shouldn’t have been a street to begin with. In particular, no easement with the Cedar River Railroad Co. can be found for 11th Avenue between D Street and E Street.

New easement agreements have been drafted to facilitate the new bike trail and will be on the agenda for the next meeting.

Moving on to another street project, the council reviewed plans for the 2024 Permeable Paving Project.

Utilizing sponsored project funds for water quality improvements, the city is planning a reconstruction of Howard Street from the existing permeable paving on Ferguson Street south to Kelly Street.

As part of the project, the width of the street will be reduced from its current 37 feet to the current Iowa standard of 31 feet, reducing the cost of the project and enabling the city to access the underground water main without disrupting the street.

However, the notion of narrowing the street raised concerns among at least one resident of the area.

“I’m not sure about the safety issue,” said Miles Humphrey. “I feel if we narrow that, it’s going to be dangerous to all the visitors.”

Humphrey asked the council to reconsider narrowing the street over the effect it will have on parking and the speed of drivers coming off from Kellogg Avenue.

“I’ve talked to a number of my neighbors and they’re quite set against it,” said Humphrey.

The council explained that keeping the current width of the street would significantly increase the cost of the project, but encouraged Humphrey to collect feedback from his neighbors to be considered at the next meeting.

In other business, the council reviewed more updates to the city’s traffic code to correct antiquated language and better define where speed zones begin and end.

The council also reviewed an agreement with GHD Services. Inc. for monitoring and maintenance of the Shaw Avenue Dump Site. This year’s monitoring includes a mandated five-year review for the EPA, which brings the total cost to $30,400. The city splits this cost with Zoetis Inc.

Finally, City Administrator Steve Diers reported that a controlled burn has been scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 3, and that union negotiations for city employees are done and ready for the council to review.

The council is nearing the end of its budget season, with a wrap-up workshop planned for Feb. 1.