Anamosa council to review replacement of missing sidewalk at 306 North Davis after resident complaints

The Anamosa City Council voted to place the sidewalk replacement and repair at 306 North Davis on the agenda for its first regular meeting in May after councilors and a nearby resident raised safety and access concerns.

"I've been in this community since 1951, and there's been a sidewalk there my entire life with the exception of the last 4 years," said Bill Wheeler, who identified himself as a resident at 401 North Davis, urging the council to act. Council members described the missing concrete and protruding pipes as a safety hazard for pedestrians and people using wheelchairs.

City staff told the council HR Green had been engaged previously to inventory sidewalks across Anamosa and that the firm was asked to resume work; the city administrator offered to return with an estimate of what it would take to install the sidewalk at the site and suggested comparing the cost of in-house work versus contracting out.

A councilor moved to add the item to the May meeting and the motion was seconded; the motion was carried as the roll call was read during the meeting. Councilors directed staff to obtain bids for the 30–40 square-foot concrete repair (council discussion estimated about four square yards of concrete) and to report back with a cost comparison to any in-house option.

The council also discussed the broader question of how to manage three city-owned vacant lots that currently generate no revenue but require mowing and maintenance; Steve Angus, the utility superintendent, cautioned that if the council converts a former house lot to a park the water and sewer laterals may need to be reconnected to mains before reuse.

The item will return for formal discussion on the May agenda, with bid comparisons and staff cost estimates available for council review.