Board reconsiders Bates Road plan, approves off-road bike solution to secure nearly $1M in resurfacing funds

The Board of Aldermen voted on Nov. 19 to reconsider and then approve a revised plan for Bates Road that uses an off-road shared-use sidewalk alternative instead of replacing a travel lane with an on-road bike lane. The board said the alternative satisfies the bike-trail requirement tied to a federal/state resurfacing grant and preserves three travel lanes while enabling the city to accept nearly $1 million toward resurfacing and repairs.

The motion to grant reconsideration was made by Alderman Getemeyer and seconded by Alderman Ney; after reconsideration, the board proceeded to a roll-call vote. The roll call recorded five yeas and one nay; the record shows Alderman Detweiler voted no. Mayor Woodman disclosed a conflict of interest as a federal employee and said he must abstain from votes involving federal funds, so he did not participate in the vote.

City staff and the mayor described an "off-road solution" that widens a sidewalk into a shared facility for bicyclists and pedestrians while retaining three travel lanes on Bates Road; the design was presented as safer for bicyclists and as the path to secure the resurfacing grant funds. The board and staff emphasized that the redesign preserves emergency access concerns raised by residents and reduces the amount of grant funding left on the table by the previously defeated configuration.

The bill—previously voted down on Nov. 5—was adopted following the successful reconsideration motion and became Ordinance No. 23-89. The board instructed staff to work with state agencies as needed on final design and implementation details.

Vote tally (roll call): Alderman Wilson — Aye; Alderman Johnson — Aye; Alderman Waters — Aye; Alderman Detweiler — Nay; Alderman Getemeyer — Aye; Alderman Ney — Aye. Mayor Woodman abstained due to conflict of interest.