SIDNEY — The proposed 2016 curb and gutter repair program was one of the items discussed during Monday evening’s Sidney City Council’s workshop meeting.
Gary Clough, assistant city manager/public works director, presented council with a list of properties where curbs and gutters are in need of repair or replacement. The total estimated curb and gutter needing repaired or replaced is 28,000 linear feet, said Clough, at an estimated cost of $850,000.
The 28,000 linear feet, he said, includes approximately 7,200 linear feet which is driveway or adjacent to the driveway and according to city ordinance, the responsibility of the property owner to repair or replace. There are 386 property owners listed in the project for the upcoming year.
A 2008 ordinance, said Clough, designates the duties of property owners and the city of Sidney in regards to repair and replacement of curbs and gutters. The ordinance makes the property owner responsible to only replace the curb and gutter in front of and adjacent to their driveway.
Council is expected to approve a resolution of necessity at its Jan. 11 meeting. Once the resolution is approved, letters will be sent to the property owners to have the work completed on the curbs and gutters. If the property owner doesn’t complete the work, the city will have it done.
Once the city has completed all the repair/replacement of curbs and gutters, then the total cost will be determined and reported to council. An itemized list of assessments will be placed on file with the city clerk for public inspection. A legal notice will be published in the newspaper for three weeks. The property owner will have an additional two weeks to object to the amount of the assessment.
Council, said Clough, will review the objections and approve or modify the assessment by an ordinance. The property owner will then pay the city by check or cash or have the cost assessed to their property taxes.
“We’re putting together our paving program,” said Clough. “We had to look at the curb and gutters in those areas” that are to be paved.
In other business, council:
• Reviewed council rules and determined no changes are needed.
• Reviewed the city’s charter and determined no changes are needed.
• Received a request from Chipotle Mexican Grill of Colorado, 1975 W. Michigan St., for a D3 liquor permit. The D3 permit class is for restaurants/night clubs and allows liquor for on premises consumption only until 1 a.m. Council remained silent on the issue, which means a consent for the permit to be allowed. Chipotle will be located in the old Sonic building.
• Approved committee assignments for each council member. Assignments include: Audit Committee, Mayor Mike Barhorst; Planning Commission, Steve Wagner; Health Board, Janet Born; Parks and Recreation, Ed Hamaker; Tree Board, Mardie Milligan; Emergency Management Agency, Barhorst; Zoning Board, Wagner; Shelby Public Transit, Milligan; Enterprise Tax Incentive Negotiating Committee, Barhorst; Paint the town, Wagner and Born; Lodging Tax Committee, Darryl Thurber, Hamaker and Wagner; Airport Advisory, Milligan; Convention Visitors Bureau, Hamaker; and Family & Children First, Born.
• Reviewed the upcoming Zoning Board and Planning Commission agenda.
• Reviewed the Jan. 11 and Jan. 25 council meeting agenda items.
• Went into executive session for the employment of a public official, preparing for negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees and litigation dealing with a court action. No action was taken on any of the issues.
