Sean C. Morgan
The Sweet Home City Council approved a proposal on Feb. 25 to complete improvements on 22nd Avenue north of Main Street in cooperation with Bi-Mart, which is building a new store at the location.
Bi-Mart is required to complete three-fourths of the street improvements in connection to its construction project, said Public Works Director Mike Adams. The improvement includes curbs, gutters and sidewalks on the west side of 22nd Avenue from Highway 20 north to the entrance to the Bi-Mart parking lot, about 300 feet.
City staff asked the developer to consider completing the remaining one-fourth of the street improvements on the east side so the entire street could be improved at the same time, Adams said. The developer reviewed the request and agreed if the city reimbursed the cost.
Adams estimated the cost at under $50,000, he said. Funding is available in a special street maintenance fund.
Some councilors were concerned that paying for the improvements would set a precedent, with residents asking why the city doesn’t pay for their street improvements.
“I had to pay $1,800,” said Councilor Dave Trask of improvements to his street. “The precedent is what I’m talking about. I’m not against this. I think it’s a good idea.”
The city has a couple of options to improve streets, said City Manager Craig Martin. First, it can use grants matched with money from the gasoline tax. Second, the city can take advantage of opportunities such as this construction project, a sort of grant requiring a match from the city.
Local improvement districts are formed when property owners along a street want to improve their streets, said Councilor Craig Fentiman. Over the past 26 years he has been on the council, the city has contributed to help decrease the costs of LIDs.
Councilor Scott McKee Jr. said he had concerns about not doing the project.
First, Bi-Mart’s improvements will affect drainage, and the full improvement, with gutters, will help control it, he said. Second, it’s a safety issue.
It will be a high-traffic route, he said. A sidewalk helps provide a barrier between the street and children in the front yards.
“I think we should take this opportunity and not go back in and tear it up (improving it in the future),” McKee said.
Voting to approve the project were councilors Marybeth Angulo, Fentiman, Mayor Jim Gourley, McKee, Greg Mahler and Trask. Bruce Hobbs was absent.
In other business, the council:
n Recommended to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission approval of a liquor license for Bi-Mart.
n Approved a resolution approving updates to the Physical Force Plan for Linn County, a document that outlines what happens following the use of deadly force by a police officer.
n Approved a sub-grant agreement with Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services for a loan program used to rehabilitate housing owned by persons with low incomes.
n Joined the South Santiam Community Forest Declaration of Cooperation to demonstrate ongoing support for the project.
n Appointed Bud Mather to a new two-year term on the Traffic Safety Committee. His term expires on Feb. 24, 2016.
n Appointed Scott LaRoque and Ned Kilpatrick to the All Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee.
n Appointed former mayors Dave Holley and Tim McQueary, citizens Teresa A. Glenn and Mark E. Woody to the City of Sweet Home Charter Review Committee. Councilors McKee and Angulo also will serve on the committee.
n Positions remain open on the All Hazard Mitigation Committee, the Charter Review Committee and the Planning Commission. With two seats open, the city has one application in for the Planning Commission seat, and an incumbent indicated she planned to continue serving.
For more information, call the city at (541) 367-9869.