Council approves Fiala Road resurfacing and curb work but delays sidewalks after neighborhood objections

Mitchell City Council approved a resolution to proceed with Fiala Road street improvements — including curb and gutter and asphalt surfacing — but removed sidewalk construction from the current assessment after residents raised cost and connectivity concerns.

City staff described the assessment process: if 55% of property owners petition against the resolution within 20 days, the project would not proceed unless the council chooses to override that petition threshold under state law. Staff also explained property owners will receive final, actual costs after work completion; the county collection and a 10-year special assessment with 8% interest would apply to unpaid balances after a 30-day interest-free payment period following the collection hearing.

Property owners at the hearing said they supported the curb and gutter and asphalt resurfacing but opposed sidewalks until there is a planned, connected sidewalk network. One commenter summarized the neighborhood view: the sidewalk “doesn’t make sense right now” and would create isolated segments. Council discussed options including waiving sidewalk requirements for future homebuilders, allowing developers to pay for sidewalk installation for specific parcels, and establishing a trigger that would require sidewalks when neighboring curb-and-gutter or development makes connection logical. Council adopted language to remove the sidewalk line item now and to include a triggering condition (for example, if curb-and-gutter extends north or development creates a contiguous need) for future required sidewalk installation. The motion to remove the sidewalk item carried on roll call.