Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Events And Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cudahy council directs staff to pursue Gateway COG Open Streets participation, agrees to delay Clara Bridge construction if needed
Summary
Council directed staff to work with the Gateway Council of Governments to join a June 20 regional Open Streets event and authorized delaying Clara Street Bridge construction until after June 20 if necessary, noting potential additional costs and the need to identify funding.
The Cudahy City Council voted unanimously Monday to direct staff to work with the Gateway Council of Governments on a regional Open Streets event around the FIFA World Cup and to attempt to postpone the city’s Clara Street Bridge construction until after June 20 if doing so will permit participation.
Raul Diaz, who identified himself as the presenter and director working with the project team, told council the event would celebrate active transportation and could place an outreach point on the Clara Street Bridge. Diaz outlined three route options and said preliminary participation costs remain unfunded, though the COG has donated $5,000 toward participation.
Council members raised concerns about construction timing and potential cost increases if the city rebids the project; staff reported bids were received and a contractor identified, but the award window could extend into June. "If the deadline in the RFP is the award date, I need to look at that language," the city attorney said. Staff said it is possible to award the contract and schedule work to begin after a specified date.
Council members emphasized visibility and local business activation as objectives for the event, and discussed using discretionary funds or fundraising to cover gaps if the COG cannot fully fund city participation. One councilmember urged collaboration with local youth groups, small businesses and regional partners to increase volunteer and sponsorship capacity.
The motion—directing staff to work with the COG to refine cost estimates, pursue funding, and confirm city participation with the understanding that participation may delay the Clara Bridge CIP award—passed unanimously.
Next steps: staff will continue cost analysis, pursue funding with the COG, and return to council with refined estimates and a recommended path for awarding or scheduling the bridge contract.
