This one-block portion of Stearns Avenue did not receive a sidewalk when Stearns Avenue was improved a couple of years ago.
The sidewalk will be placed only on the west side of the street. Pete Carlson, city engineer, asked the council if they objected to a meandering sidewalk to save some trees.
The council did not make a decision on the sidewalk placement. They decided to invite those residents affected by the new sidewalk to their Jan. 14 meeting to keep them informed and to receive input.
Carlson presented the council with a proposed timetable for the ’98 street improvement project. Following the Jan. 14 meeting, plans and specifications would be advertised for bids. By Feb. 25, 1998, the council would acknowledge the bids and set a hearing date, if so desired.
The council discussed whether an assessment hearing should be held prior to the start of the project or not. It was decided to hold the hearing after the project so they would know the exact amounts.
“By holding the hearing prior to the project, some residents would be billed for something they had not received. Once the assessments are certified, residents have the option of paying for them within 30 days. If unforeseen complications arose during the projects, the assessments would need to be revised,” Ron Mergen, public works director, said. “It is unknown whether all the sewer hookups would need to be replaced at this time. If assessed prior to the project, all would be assessed for new hookups,” he added.
The council approved setting Jan. 14 as a hearing date to discuss vacating the street north of the Gazebo Park.
In other business:
•The council approved hiring Marilyn Fuchs as full time liquor store manager effective Jan. 1. She will replace Bud Schmiginsky upon his retirement.
•The council approved an on-sale beer license for Rocky’s Pizza.
•The council denied a request from Ken Bjerke, owner of the former museum site (the old Methodist Church) to not clean the snow off the sidewalk in front of his property along Highway 23. The council members did not want to set a dangerous precedence by allowing someone not to clear their sidewalks.
•Following a short closed session, the council was informed a mediation date of Dec. 30 was set to hear the Alice Schreifels age-discrimination case.