Motley streets improvement project nearly complete
Portions of Cimarron Drive, Postel Drive and Lil Street in Motley have recently been tarred; and all that remains of the streets improvement project is shouldering and grass seeding.
According to public works supervisor Bruce Brotherton, tarring was completed by Oct. 13 and “all went as planned.”
In addition to tarring, the project included minor surface grading and excavation of both ditches and roads to keep water off the pavement; Class 5 aggregate supplement prior to the bituminous pavement; and simple T-type dead end treatments. The project is expected to be closed out in November.
Complaints of rough roads had been the catalyst for the project; and the city voted to proceed with the improvements following a preliminary public hearing July 18.
Subsequently, bids were posted and Young Excavating of Hackensack was accepted as the contracted company for the streets improvement project.
A final assessment hearing regarding the project was held Oct. 10, at city hall. It was facilitated by Phil Martin, an engineer with Bolton & Menk, Inc.
Martin noted that the total project cost is estimated to be $137,500, which is less than what was expected. Per the city’s assessment policy, the city will pay 70 percent of the cost ($96,250) and the property owners will pay the remaining 30 percent ($41,250).
Property owners will be assessed via the Unit Assessment Method, with each Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) equaling 2.5 acres. With an estimated 26 ERUs on the three roads, the proposed assessment for each ERU will be $1,586.54.
During the public hearing, several residents asked questions pertaining to the project.
Judy Thorsett, who lives on Postel Drive, asked if it would be possible to get her driveway tarred at the same time as the city’s project.
Martin said that she would need to contact Anderson Brothers of Brainerd (the company contracted to do the tarring) and get a separate quote from the city’s. He also advised that she get quotes from at least two companies.
Everett Sowers also lives on Postel Drive. He noted that he owns 10 acres along that street which means his assessment would be over $6,000. Sowers voiced concerns as to how he would pay this; and mayor Nancy Nieken said that the assessment could be paid over 15 years. Now in his early 90’s, Sowers said he might not be around 15 years from now. The council said that the assessment would stay with the property and be assumed by the new owner.
