Sycamore St. project moves toward completion

City Council
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

Residents along N. Sycamore Street have probably noticed the project is coming to a close. 

AJ Barry with Snyder & Associates provided an update during the Oct. 7 council meeting. 

“Ninety percent of the driveways are complete, and 30 percent of the sidewalks,” reported Barry. “A couple of weeks should go a long way, weather-depending.” 

Barry said the seal coat portions of Sycamore Street should be done in the following weeks. 

“Horsfield is on schedule,” he said. 

The N. Sycamore Street project completion date is Nov. 21. 

The city will handle the seeding in the spring, so as not to hold out the project any longer than necessary. 

In line with this project, the council approved the sixth pay request from Horsfield in the amount of $508,139.13. 

After this payment, the city maintains a retainage of $90,092.01. 

The total project cost was around $2 million. The city has paid out more than half thus far. 

In other city business: 

• The council approved a liquor license for the new owner of The Office, Matt Kumley (Glasstap LLC). The name of the establishment will be “Glass Tap.” 

• The council approved a Supplemental Agreement between the city and Snyder & Associates associated with the Seventh Street reconstruction project. 

Snyder will complete the design work for the project and oversee contracting and bidding. The scope of the project on Seventh Street is between N. Cedar Street and N. Maple Street. 

Snyder will perform the work for a lump sum of $24,888. 

While a good chuck on Seventh Street was included in the N. Sycamore Street project, this project completes the work next spring. 

“Efforts were made to add the work to the N. Sycamore Street project, but we did not receive voluntary assessment agreements from all property owners on Seventh Street,” noted Herman. “It became apparent that timing may run short with significant work required within the intersection of Seventh and Cedar as well.” 

Herman added that all or a portion of the Seventh Street work could be covered with bond proceeds from the Sycamore Street project, with the addition of Road Use Funds. 

The project is expected to be completed before the Fourth of July Parade in 2020. 

• The council approved the purchase of a 2019 Ford Truck with v-plow from Freese Motors for $51,000, and a dump trailer from N&N Trailer Sales for $7,700. The equipment would be used by the Public Works Department to meet multiple needs (snow removal, yard waste collection, hauling rock). 

• The council discussed the rate of pay for the mayor ($3,600) and council positions ($1,200). The initial conversation was whether or not a pay increase would increase interest in running for election. 

Herman said the council members and mayor are paid a flat rate, and are assigned to other meetings outside of the regular council meetings. 

Before making any decisions, the council asked to see comparisons from other cities. Herman said he knows Monticello’s mayor position is underpaid in comparison to other towns. 

Mayor Brian Wolken said it’s disheartening that no one was willing to represent and serve in the Ward 1 council seat. 

“Ward 1 is a quarter of Monticello and no one wanted to run,” he said. 

• Herman noted that the city has not raised water/sewer rates in a number of years. He told the council the city might have to look at increased rates, especially when it comes to saving for a new sewer plant in the near future. 

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