Resident urges Mills to determine ownership and fix hazardous Heights Boulevard

Randy Morrison, owner of Local Lawn Care, told the Mills council during public comment that a stretch of Heights Boulevard leading from Salt Creek Highway up to Plat Street is badly deteriorated, has no drainage and was never properly constructed, and that the condition is harming access to homes and local businesses.

"It's the main road to access all of those houses," Morrison said, adding that drivers and his crews experience vehicle damage from potholes and failing pavement. He said the road appears to sit at the edge of Mills and that he and a neighbor have been maintaining portions but cannot correct the core structural problems.

City staff and council members responded that preliminary geospatial and plat maps suggest the roadway centerline may split ownership between Mills and the county. Staff said they would search dedication and easement records to determine whether the stretch is an accepted city street, a county road, or a private access.

"We can take a look at that," a staff member said. "We could probably have that determined within two or three days, easy enough." Council members cautioned that if the road has not been formally accepted as a city street the municipality may not be able to spend taxpayer funds on paving; staff noted that full pavement and long-term maintenance would be costly and suggested gravel or a depth replacement if the city were to take responsibility.

The council did not commit to immediate construction. Instead, staff undertook to research title/dedication records and contact Morrison with findings and possible next steps, including short-term grading or base-course work only if ownership and legal authority permit it.

Next step: staff will research dedication/easement/title records for Heights Boulevard and follow up with the speaker to clarify responsibility and options.