More issues arise following N. Sycamore Street project

     The N. Sycamore Street Reconstruction Project has been completed for some time now, yet problems seem to keep occurring.

     Discussion regarding those ongoing problems was the topic of much conversation at the Feb. 1 council meeting among the Monticello City Council, City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath, and residents on N. Sycamore Street.

     During the Open Forum, Gaylen Kray asked about where things stand following his numerous complaints about his sidewalk separating. He acknowledged city staff coming to assess the situation, but wanted feedback on when things would be addressed. Kray added that the separation has gotten so bad, there is now a trip hazard in front of his property.

     “Is the city going to assume liability?” he asked.

     Schwickerath said he also looked at the sidewalk in question, and panels are moving due to the joint expansions.

     “They’re meant to allow movement,” he said. “But there’s more movement than we typically see.”

     Schwickerath said the test will be in the spring if those panels go back together.

     He told the council he did notify the project contractor, Horsfield, about this ongoing situation.

     “We’ll continue to monitor it over the winter and into the spring,” he said.

     Council member Dave Goedken asked if the city and property owners would have to deal with the sidewalk separation from here on out.

     Schwickerath said because the contractor used expansion joints and not butt joints, which are what the specifications called for, this freeze-thaw action would continue to take place.

     Schwickerath offered that there was nothing different in the N. Sycamore Street plans and specs versus any other street project the city has done in recent years, namely South Street and Second Street.

     Goedken asked if the council had specified rebar in the sidewalks, would that have taken care of the issue. Schwickerath said that could possibly have helped the situation, yes.

     “Are the soils in this area an issue?” asked Council member Tom Yeoman.

     “Potentially,” offered Schwickerath.

     “There are far more expansion joints on this whole street than there ever was,” noted Kray.

     Goedken was adamant that property owners on N. Sycamore should not have to continue to pay for issues that arise due to the street project.

     “It’s not acceptable,” he said. “Something needs to change. It’s frustrating when we have a new project and it’s not working. We need to do something to remedy this for the money we spent and not have it right.”

     “We have done lots of projects consistent like this and never had the issues we have here,” Mayor Brian Wolken said. “What’s the discrepancy?”

     In addition to the sidewalks on Sycamore, Schwickerath said there was another water service leak at Sacred Heart Church recently. This brings the total service leaks to seven since the project was complete: six leaks near the main, and one close to a shut-off valve.

     “These were all initially pinhole leaks,” explained Schwickerath. “They grew over time. But they’re similar in nature.”

     The backfill material at these leaks was either native material or lime, Schwickerath said, nothing that would puncture a copper pipe and cause a leak.

     “There are concerns with the copper itself,” offered Schwickerath.

     He did notify Horsfield of this issue as well, and said they are concerned.

     “They’re not sure what’s going on,” he said. “They used a supplier they’ve used in the past, but not one they’ve used the majority of the time.”

     The materials are still under warranty for another three years.

     “Horsfield will do additional investigating,” Schwickerath reported.

     Goedken asked what happens 10 years down the line if property owner start having water service issues. He said the city needs to change the code regarding responsibility: owners versus the city.

     “It is worrisome because it comes out of our pocket,” said Council member Chris Lux.

     “This is definitely unusual,” added Schwickerath.

     “It’s very unfortunate because we’ve had such good luck on street projects,” said Wolken. “People deserve a project as good as any other street in town.”