Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mayor briefs council on New York Avenue project, Louvie grant match shortfall and code‑enforcement plan
Summary
The mayor announced upcoming work on New York Avenue, said a prior roughly $1.5 million grant for the Louvie requires a $750,000 match the city cannot currently cover, and described code-enforcement door‑hanger warnings and radio system grant progress.
The mayor told the council the New York Avenue widening project (an extension between about 10th and 11th streets) will be advertised for bids soon and is expected to start early in the year; a fuller year‑in‑review of projects and grant lines will be on the next meeting’s agenda.
On a previously awarded grant for the 'Louv' (as referenced in the transcript), the mayor said the city received roughly $1.5 million but cannot cover the approximately $750,000 local match required. The city applied for an additional grant to cover the match but was not selected; one other grant application remains outstanding. An engineer’s early assessment suggested the tops of uncapped brick walls are vulnerable to winter ice damage; council discussed an interim roof to protect the structure. One estimate cited to cover the roof was about $100,000–$150,000, and the mayor noted that if the city paid that cost it could be used as match toward other state grants.
The fire chief reported the department will provide an end‑of‑year report and monthly reports at the next meeting, including run volumes and permit/inspection information. The chief also said the department and police are progressing on a radio conversion to Marks radios, have purchased enough radios to cover current needs and are pursuing grant funding; he also said the Highway Patrol offered to transfer portable radios to help bridge the gap.
Code enforcement has launched a door‑hanger warning program for properties with debris: officers will leave warnings and give residents 30 days to clear properties before moving to citations. Staff said next week’s meeting will include reports on building permits and inspections.
Separately, the mayor asked staff to post the Fourth Ward vacancy and solicit letters of interest (an optional resume can be submitted) so the council can appoint a replacement; members agreed on requiring a letter of intent and optional resume and asked staff to confirm procedural posting requirements.
