The city has received numerous complaints about the safety of this alley, especially with traffic exiting on Mill Street in front of the elementary school. The public works committee recom-mended opening up the alley to two-way traffic and eliminating parking 60 feet to the west and 30 feet to the east of the alley on Highway 23.
Doug Benson, Jim Ochs, and Ruth Hopfer, business owners along Highway 23, voiced concern about losing three more parking spaces across from their businesses with the change in traffic pattern for the alley.
Ron Mergen, public works director, said the council is in a lose-lose situation. The alley is too narrow and visibility was poor for traffic to meet, yet you don’t want to endanger children near the elementary school.
Council member Dennis Zimmerman said the council discussed the issue for several weeks before making a decision. “We are trying to adjust and see what works out the best,” he added.
Council member Dave Peschong, said the council looked at a number of options and the conclusion was opening it up was the best margin for safety. “If we find another option that might work better, we’ll consider it,” he added.
The council also approved quotes on upgrading the alley from Central Avenue and Lyndall Avenue. Mergen received only one bid from a local company for $5,909. It was recommended to put this project off until next spring and add it to the 1998 street improvement project as this would probably bring the costs down dramatically.
In other business:
•The council reviewed the public works recommendation to eliminating the curve around the Gazebo Park next year when Washburne Avenue is under construction. The committee approved moving ahead with this proposal.
•The council discussed the letter from Bauerly Brothers concerning the sidewalk project on Minnesota Street from 1996. They agreed it was a warranty issue and will discuss and mark areas of concrete needing replacing in the spring.
•The council approved a resolution to apply for a state loan from the drinking water revolving loan fund for next year’s street project. Pete Carlson, engineer, explained the city can borrow money at reduced rates to upgrade anything dealing with the water system.