Council Discusses Trails, More
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
Several residents of Pleasant and School streets made it clear to Bradford City Council Tuesday night that they don't want another traffic pattern change.
They were concerned about a misconception that a change would be necessary to complete the proposed Community Parks Trail.
But Mayor Tom Riel, OECD Executive Director Sara Andrews and City Clerk John Peterson explained that the first meeting with the trails engineer was on Tuesday, so plans – let alone firm plans – have not been made yet.
Andrews said they went over the proposed route of the trails, and Pleasant Street was never discussed as a route of the trail.
She added that traffic studies and traffic counts will be done before any physical work begins on the trail.
"Our goal is to improve the walking system in our community," Andrews said, adding that improving safety is an issue as well.
Peterson added that the engineers have "identified problematic areas that they're going to have to address"
Peterson said they will be meeting once a month until there's a plan in place to present to council and the general public.
Andrews added that they will give the public a chance to speak once the plan is more firmed-up.
Riel said they want to add the trail without changing traffic patterns at all.
"They've been changed enough," he said. "Traffic patterns are confusing enough up there."
Andrews added that, while the process will be challenging, they will "try to accommodate everyone … and try not to offend anyone."
"That's certainly not what the trail system is all about," she said. "It's supposed to help people have a better way of life."
In other matters, council agreed to enter into a contract with Cindy Lou Masters to provide part-time legal assistant services for the city's code enforcement program.
Mayor Tom Riel said Masters' job will be to recoup money the city is not getting back. He explained that when the city demolishes a house at a cost of 6, 7 or $8,000 "lately we've been getting nothing back."
He said this will give them a way to get that money back and "it'll may than pay for itself."
The initial cost of the position will be paid from the city's 2009 CDBG Program and City funding.
Also, council passed on second reading an amendment to the parking ordinance that limits parking on Kennedy Street between Main and 16 Kennedy to 30 minutes. Parking in front of City Hall and the Kubiak Building is 15 minutes.
Parking in front of Old City Hall is 30 minutes. There is no parking between Main Street and the alley next to Old City Hall on the west side of the street.
Councilman Rick Benton, who voted against the measure on first reading, said he spoke with Kennedy Street merchants who are happy with it, so he changed his vote to "yes."
Council also approved changes to the city's banner policy that say no banners shall be erected on Main Street during the months of November through March, and banners shall be installed only when weather permits.
Also Tuesday, bids were opened for the Callahan Park Water Spray Project. The lowest bid was $62,725 from M&M Contractors of Johnsonburg, but the bids are being reviewed. Council expects to award the contract at its next meeting on March 10.
Prior to the meeting, a public hearing was held concerning the city's plans for 2009 CDBG funding.
Andrews said they're not sure how much they'll be receiving because no one is exactly sure how the federal stimulus money will be doled out.
Plans for this year include replacement of the Kennedy Street Bridge; work on "gateway improvements" on Elm, Forman and Davis streets; as well as continued improvements to the Elm Street Neighborhood and sidewalks.
Andrews noted that there's money left over for sidewalk improvements form last year.
The city will also continue its demolition program, and hopes to remove at least seven blighted properties.
WESB/WBRR News Director
Several residents of Pleasant and School streets made it clear to Bradford City Council Tuesday night that they don't want another traffic pattern change.
They were concerned about a misconception that a change would be necessary to complete the proposed Community Parks Trail.
But Mayor Tom Riel, OECD Executive Director Sara Andrews and City Clerk John Peterson explained that the first meeting with the trails engineer was on Tuesday, so plans – let alone firm plans – have not been made yet.
Andrews said they went over the proposed route of the trails, and Pleasant Street was never discussed as a route of the trail.
She added that traffic studies and traffic counts will be done before any physical work begins on the trail.
"Our goal is to improve the walking system in our community," Andrews said, adding that improving safety is an issue as well.
Peterson added that the engineers have "identified problematic areas that they're going to have to address"
Peterson said they will be meeting once a month until there's a plan in place to present to council and the general public.
Andrews added that they will give the public a chance to speak once the plan is more firmed-up.
Riel said they want to add the trail without changing traffic patterns at all.
"They've been changed enough," he said. "Traffic patterns are confusing enough up there."
Andrews added that, while the process will be challenging, they will "try to accommodate everyone … and try not to offend anyone."
"That's certainly not what the trail system is all about," she said. "It's supposed to help people have a better way of life."
In other matters, council agreed to enter into a contract with Cindy Lou Masters to provide part-time legal assistant services for the city's code enforcement program.
Mayor Tom Riel said Masters' job will be to recoup money the city is not getting back. He explained that when the city demolishes a house at a cost of 6, 7 or $8,000 "lately we've been getting nothing back."
He said this will give them a way to get that money back and "it'll may than pay for itself."
The initial cost of the position will be paid from the city's 2009 CDBG Program and City funding.
Also, council passed on second reading an amendment to the parking ordinance that limits parking on Kennedy Street between Main and 16 Kennedy to 30 minutes. Parking in front of City Hall and the Kubiak Building is 15 minutes.
Parking in front of Old City Hall is 30 minutes. There is no parking between Main Street and the alley next to Old City Hall on the west side of the street.
Councilman Rick Benton, who voted against the measure on first reading, said he spoke with Kennedy Street merchants who are happy with it, so he changed his vote to "yes."
Council also approved changes to the city's banner policy that say no banners shall be erected on Main Street during the months of November through March, and banners shall be installed only when weather permits.
Also Tuesday, bids were opened for the Callahan Park Water Spray Project. The lowest bid was $62,725 from M&M Contractors of Johnsonburg, but the bids are being reviewed. Council expects to award the contract at its next meeting on March 10.
Prior to the meeting, a public hearing was held concerning the city's plans for 2009 CDBG funding.
Andrews said they're not sure how much they'll be receiving because no one is exactly sure how the federal stimulus money will be doled out.
Plans for this year include replacement of the Kennedy Street Bridge; work on "gateway improvements" on Elm, Forman and Davis streets; as well as continued improvements to the Elm Street Neighborhood and sidewalks.
Andrews noted that there's money left over for sidewalk improvements form last year.
The city will also continue its demolition program, and hopes to remove at least seven blighted properties.
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