It looks like the Beaulieu Street area in Motley may be getting a major overhaul at some point in the near future...with some of the proposed improvements including new bituminous pavement, storm sewer extensions, new watermain pipe; and new curb and gutter.

At their regular meeting May 12, the council unanimously approved the Feasibility Report, prepared by WSN (Widseth, Smith and Nolting) engineer Aric Welch, in regard to the above-mentioned street improvements.

Welch's report gave a detailed look at the existing conditions of streets in the Beaulieu area, as well as proposed improvements. It also provided estimated project costs and suggestions for project implementation.

"This is just a guideline," Welch reminded the council, "But it's a good place to start."

The streets slated for improvements include portions of Beaulieu and Main Street; and Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Avenues. The alley south of Beaulieu Street (between Hwy 10 and Third Ave.) will also get some repairs, if all goes as planned.

Welch reminded the council that a public hearing would need to be held before any of these plans could be implemented.

The entire project (including residential water and roadway improvements; and commercial water, roadway and storm sewer improvements) is estimated to cost about $636,000.

According to Welch's report, costs for the proposed improvements were assumed to be generated by city contribution and special assessments to benefi ted property owners. Assessments were calculated in accordance with the city's assessment policy as follows:

o Residential Water Assessment Calculation: These assessments are based on a unit assessment of $2,000 per service. This assessment is determined by the city council and may change from year to year depending on inflation or changes in construction and material costs.

On a case by case basis, the city may allow property owners of multiple lots or lots with multiple assessments, to transfer a portion of the water assessments to a future connection charge.

o Residential Roadway Assessment Calculation: These are based on a unit assessment of $2,700 per lot. This, too, is determined by the council and may change from year to year.

o Commercial Water Assessment Calculation: These assessments are calculated on a front footage basis. Assessed costs are based on actual project costs with 70 percent of the costs assessed and 30 percent paid by the city.

o Commercial Roadway and Storm Sewer Assessment Calculation: These are calculated on a front footage basis as well. Assessed costs are based on actual project costs with 70 percent of the costs assessed and 30 percent paid by the city.

The council also approved, at their regular meeting May 12, the special assessment as presented by Welch, with the fee schedule to be added at a later date. Duane Solga was the only council member to vote against it.

In other matters the council:

o APPROVED donating $100 to Motley's Sprinkle & Sprout group, to be used for flowers in city parks.

o APPROVED, pending background checks and physicals, the Motley Fire Department hiring committee's recommendation to hire Randy Nelson and Birten Herman.

o APPROVED advertising for additional firefighters in both the Staples World and the Morrison County Record.

o DISCUSSED Fire Chief Troy Davis's request to replace one of the fire department's trucks; a 1987 grass rig. Davis explained that it needed a new transmission; and that he felt it would cost more to repair than the truck was worth. Sampson said he didn't feel there was money in the budget for a new grass rig. "We just got done burning $200,000 for a new (fire) truck," he said. Davis said he will explore different options and bring those back to the council.

o HEARD monthly report from Police Chief Brian Madison, who mentioned to the council that that the police department has been very busy, adding that "anything that could possibly happen in a bad economy is happening."

Madison also informed the council that, thanks to a MN Safe & Sober grant, the MPD will be partnering with other police departments to saturate Hwy 10 with officers. Extra offi cers will be in Motley on Friday, May 22 - Memorial Day weekend. All officers are paid for by the grant.

o ACCEPTED a donation for a memorial tree to be planted in Veterans Memorial Park at the discretion of the parks committee.