By ANDY GOODELL
OSKALOOSA — More sidewalks could be in Oskaloosa’s future.
At a work session Monday evening, the Oskaloosa City Council discussed an essential part of future street improvement projects — the sidewalks next to them.
City Manager Michael Schrock Jr. presented two options for a sidewalk policy. Although there was no formal approval of the policy, the council was in favor of the first option proposed, which included more flexible language.
“Option one is a pretty straight forward policy,” explained Schrock to the city council. “Option two takes it further by putting down some options you could consider.”
Both proposed policy options state that “street improvement projects, including reconstruction, replacement of existing, and new construction ... shall include sidewalks on those sides of the street improvement, where possible.”
However, the proposed policy informally agreed upon by the council is sensitive to cases in which adding sidewalks would require “extraordinary construction efforts.”
Schrock addressed the idea of certain residents not wanting to have sidewalks placed near their homes.
“From a practical standpoint, I’d go with the greater good of the entire community,” said Schrock. “If you want to not have to deal with sidewalks or snow shoveling, this may sound cold, but, you may want to live in a town home or an apartment. That’s just part of ownership. You have to do some maintenance.”
Councilman Jimmy Carter offered a different perspective on the issue of sidewalks in Oskaloosa. Carter questioned how well existing sidewalks are being used.
“We all drive around town from time to time and multitudes of times you see the walkers, the baby carriages and everything else going down the middle of the street,” said Carter. “They’re not on the sidewalk. I’m just saying, just because you put in a sidewalk, doesn’t mean the walkers, the joggers, the bikers are on the sidewalk.”
Councilwoman Lori Smith pointed out that a paragraph in the possible policy being discussed allowed for some flexibility in implementing the policy itself.
“Because we have that paragraph in there, that’s going to allow us to visit more on a case-by-case basis,” said Smith. “For somebody to be upset that we drafted a policy without any public input is really a non issue because when the time comes and it’s going to affect your neighborhood, you’re going to be notified.”
At Monday’s regular city council meeting, the council:
• Heard an audit report for fiscal year 2008-2009
• Approved a final plat for the VanWaarhuizen Subdivision
• Heard a report on snow ordinance enforcement
• Heard a report on Fall Clean-up Days
• Approved an a resolution amending the city personnel manual to include a fleet policy
• Approved the second reading of an ordinance to establish a three-way stop at the intersection of M Avenue West and North I Street
• Approved pay request number seven from K. Cunningham Construction for the North I Street/M Avenue West Project
• Heard a report on the North I Street/M Avenue West Project
• Approved the fiscal year 2009 financial report
• Approved the request from the Oskaloosa Area Chamber and Development Group for the Main Street Lighted Christmas Parade
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Herald City Editor Andy Goodell can be reached at news2@oskyherald.com
