SHELBY – Councilmen Nathan Martin and Charles Roub Jr. made their opinions known regarding funding to improve a city alley during the council’s Sep. 21 meeting.
Ultimately, legislation was postponed indefinitely, though not without debate.
Financial Director Brian Crum asked council for guidance on funding to improve an alley beside Clark Gas Station at 97 W. Main St., serving apartments nearby. The alley is city property and serves as a driveway into the apartments.
Council had already appropriated $70,000 from the general fund, and another $20,000 through an amended appropriation. The street fund remained tight, however, and the alley project would cost $15,000 to $17,000.
Sep. 21 meeting’s debate
“There are people in wheelchairs who can’t even go across that driveway right now,” Councilman Dan Reese said. “That sidewalk is so bad.”
Martin asked John Ensman, Deputy Public Service Director and Municipal Utilities Director, if the repairs could wait a year.
“I suppose everything could wait,” Ensman said.
Council debated the approach, whether to delay it or put in emergency legislation at the following meeting to avoid adding the expense to next year’s total.
Martin held firm in his position.
“If we don’t take care of this one this year … it’s then going to be stacked on all those other (alleys that need fixing),” Martin said. “I would like to get it out of the way, and then we can focus on other priorities.”
Roub took issue with this approach, questioning where funding would come from. Crum previously noted that fire and police wages were an option. However, Roub didn’t see it as worthy of consideration.
Martin argued there was plenty of money in the general fund. That convinced the council to allow Martin to draft legislation for the next meeting’s agenda.
Oct. 5 meeting’s legislation
The legislation Martin brought to Monday’s meeting saw $15,000 for the project appropriated for the street fund. Instead of the general fund, however, money was to be directed from police wages.
“My advice is going to be to decline this legislation,” Crum said. “The contractor can’t get the project done now, so this is no longer necessary.”
Martin moved to postpone the legislation indefinitely. It was the sole piece of legislation denied at the meeting, which featured three ordinances and two resolutions.
Other legislation
-the second reading of an ordinance redefining what is and isn’t a bicycle for the sake of street laws was among the legislation, with minor amendments. Some funding appropriations were approved immediately for projects that are “rather pressing and won’t be addressed in time if we wait for this,” Crum said.
Legislation also includes a demolition and revitalization grant for Copper Fast at 22 W. Main St.
“The owner of this building’s son was running the business there and … passed away,” Project Coordinator Joe Gies said. “The owner got into the building after that, and then came to us and was very concerned … It’s in rough shape. It needs to come down.
“If we don’t get the grant, then it’s back on the landowner to get something done. So, doing this helps out the landowner. It helps the city. It helps everyone to get this thing done before something happens.”
Council will meet again Oct. 19 at 7 p.m., at 29 Mack Ave.
