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Resident urges prompt reconstruction of long-neglected I Street; staff cites waterline coordination and funding limits
Summary
Longtime resident Elizabeth Jansen urged immediate reconstruction of I Street, describing severe deterioration and property-value impacts; staff said the street work is tied to a $5 million water‑main project and full reconstruction needs supplemental funds and coordination to avoid re-cutting newly paved sections.
Elizabeth Jansen told the council that I Street, between First Street and Nicholas, has suffered decades of deferred maintenance and is in dire need of reconstruction. She said roughly 90 homes rely on the street, recounted repeated promises and missed timetables, and asked the council to prioritize the long‑neglected neighborhood.
City staff responded that the H, I and J Street segments are linked to a multi‑year waterline replacement program; while slurry or patch repairs would be short‑lived because the roadway base is compromised, full reconstruction would require cutting and rebuilding around the water main work. The city’s engineering staff said a $5,000,000 water main project was about to be advertised and that water enterprise funds are restricted to water‑system work and cannot be used directly for road reconstruction.
Staff committed to coordinate with the resident and to return to council with options and supplemental funding requests so the road’s reconstruction could be timed with the water main project to avoid re‑excavation. Staff also said alternative pavement treatments (for example, a cape seal) might provide intermediate cost savings but that full reconstruction may still be required depending on pavement condition indices.
