Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council weighs potential purchase of railroad bridge; environmental assessment and remediation costs cited
Summary
Council members discussed a possible purchase of a railroad bridge by the city and the Trail Association's effort to secure adjacent acreage; the chair emphasized the city must know total remediation costs (a $475,000 figure was cited) and an environmental assessment is pending.
BENTON CITY — Benton City Council members spent part of the April 7 meeting on a multi-session discussion about a railroad bridge and associated trail work, where the Trail Association is seeking to secure roughly five acres and help manage the structure.
The chair said the trail association is interested in separating and securing property and taking responsibility for maintaining the bridge, but that any transfer of ownership would be a council decision. The chair told members the city must understand the city's full remediation and maintenance costs before agreeing to accept ownership, saying, "I don't want to get down and write a $475,000 check for the bridge, then find out we got a giant bill for remediation." The council also noted that the bridge decking would need replacement for trail use and that lead-based paint remediation is likely required; an environmental-assessment report contracted months earlier was expected shortly.
Councilmembers discussed negotiating terms with the trail association and county and asked consultants (HLA) to provide a solid cost estimate for developing a trail across the bridge and any remediation work. Members also noted that accepting ownership would assign maintenance and liability responsibilities to the city and recommended consulting the railroad on required maintenance and standards.
No final decision was taken; council indicated follow-up meetings with the county, HLA and the trail association were scheduled.
