Council previews 2027 road work
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FAIRMONT-- In an effort to speed up the process and get in bids earlier, Fairmont's civil engineer, Tyler Cowing, presented the Fairmont City Council with the 2027 street improvements for the coming year at Monday's meeting.
"The first step in this process is a resolution ordering the preparation of an engineer's report for the improvements. We do have that report already so that's more or less a formality in the process," Cowing said.
Council Member Jay Maynard made a motion to accept, which was seconded by Council Member Randy Lubenow. The motion passed unanimously.
Next, the council had to call for a public hearing on the 2027 improvements.
Cowing said that some of the goals of the improvement program are to improve the overall street conditions throughout the city, extend the life of the streets and utilities, improve aesthetics throughout neighborhoods and reduce maintenance times for city staff.
"Our projects that we have coming up are our Fairview Avenue reconstruction project from 1st Street to 4th Street, which is in the plans, as well as Parkwood Place, down off of Interlaken east of Amber Lake Drive. Both of these streets are in rather tough condition," Cowing said.
He added that Fairview Avenue is currently rated a five out of 100 and has 36 owners abutting the street. Parkwood Place is rated a 1 out of 100 and Cowing called it a "pothole disaster." As it has no curb and gutter, that will be added as part of the project and the addition is expected to improve drainage.
As for the cost of the projects, based on the city's assessment policy, Cowing said they're looking to assess 30 percent of the actual construction costs after the project is completed.
"Total cost on these projects, we're looking at $3.2 million approximately. These are including multiple sealcoat projects throughout the city as well," Cowing said.
To pay for the projects, he said the city is looking to use about $500,000 of assessment fees, $1.2 million of utility funds and $1.4 million in bonding improvement funds.
Lubenow asked about the Park Street and Orient Street projects, which were supposed to happen in 2026 but were delayed. Cowing explained that they were budgeted for 2026 so are not included in the funding for the 2027 improvement program.
The council received the engineering report and called for a public hearing on the 2027 improvement program at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 23.
Next, Cowing asked for council's consideration of a local road improvement program grant application for the Albion Avenue reconstruction project. He explained that the city is looking to apply for a $1.5 million grant from State Street to Cedar Street.
"These funds would have to be used by 2029," Cowing said.
The council unanimously approved of the application.