Council to reconsider street work

BY CINDY TOOPES COURIER STAFF WRITER

May 09, 2008 11:58 pm

— OTTUMWA — Some people go “back on the road again” but come Monday the City Council will be back on the street programs.
First on the special meeting agenda will be authorizing a revision of the streets listed in the Five-Year Road Use Asphalt Street Program 2008.
Public Works Director Larry Seals said Friday the city originally planned to overlay Grandview Avenue with three inches of hot mix asphalt (HMA).
Since the five-year asphalt program was finalized, the first block of Grandview Avenue (from North Court to Green streets) has had a total failure, Seals said.
In addition, the city’s design review television process discovered that 177 linear feet of sanitary sewer under Grandview Avenue between Green and Jefferson streets is collapsing and in need of repair.
“Grandview between Green and Elm is still OK,” Seals said. “Since Grandview is a secondary entrance to IHCC, one option would be to fund the work from the next Capital Improvements Program.”
The work would be a separate street project for full-width replacement for the first two blocks and replacing the sewer at the same time, he added.
Last season there was total failure on Green Street between Golf and Hill streets and on Jefferson Street between Golf and Hill, according to Seals.
Both streets are rural section in design and are prime candidates for full-depth reclamation with mineral stabilization and followed with an HMA overlay.
Next, Police Chief Jim Clark will offer information about the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program. The COPS Web site (www.cops.usdoj.gov) noted community policing “focuses on crime and social disorder through the delivery of police services that includes aspects of traditional law enforcement, as well as prevention, problem-solving, community engagement and partnerships.”
The council will also consider setting a public hearing on the city’s intent to sell 105 S. Vine St. for 6:30 p.m. May 20, City Hall.
In his staff report, Planning Director Dave Shafer said Real Estate Services has received an offer for the building, which is about 4,500 square feet and is on five lots.
Cindy Toopes can be reached at (641) 683-5376 or via e-mail at cindy@ottumwacourier.com

For your information
The Ottumwa City Council will conduct a special meeting at 5 p.m. Monday in council chambers, City Hall.
The meeting is open to the public and will be broadcast live on GO-TV, cable Channel 6.