Photo by Rich Wicks
Mabel’s City Council met in regular session on November 9, with all members present, along with City Clerk Karen Larson and Bob Meirau. The council heard an update from Carson Hackett, representing Davy Engineering Company. Hackett gave a summary of the expected costs and timeline of the upcoming watermain project. Hackett shared that the overall estimated project cost is just over $2 million. Mayor Wilder asked if the county would pay a portion, and Hackett said he will contact Ron Gregg to determine the portion that the county will cover.
Hackett’s handouts included that, “A significant portion of the City of Mabel’s water system is comprised of undersized, aged 4-inch watermain. The proposed project consists of replacing approximately 4.625 lineal feet of 4-inch water main with 6-inch pipe. Sanitary sewer replacement and street construction will be completed in conjunction with the water main replacement. Upsized water main is especially important when considering adequate supply can be provided throughout the water distribution system peak demand consumption and fire flow concerns.” The project’s initial proposed timeline includes a variety of application deadlines over the next six months, with the design process to begin in June 2023, bidding in November 2023, and actual construction to begin in May 2024.
Karen Larson said that a citizen voiced a concern about the amount and speed of traffic in the alley by BP, and a question of whether the alley could be designated for one-way traffic only. Mayor Wilder said he’d like to hear input from the homeowners living along the alley. Meirau shared his opinion that if the alley were to be switched to one-way traffic, that might actually increase the speed of vehicles there. Others suggested possibly posting a lower speed limit, such as 10 or 15 mph, at both ends of the alley. After discussion, the council chose to ask the deputies to monitor the traffic pattern in that alley, and the council can return to the issue at an upcoming meeting.
Regarding the city’s new digital electronic sign, Karen Larson shared that a local business owner has asked about a weekly or monthly rate for posting information on the city’s sign. Currently, the rate is $10 per day, and free for nonprofit groups. After discussion, the council voted to offer an additional rate to for-profit entities. The rate will be $50 for up to 30 days within a calendar year (using the same slide for all of the postings).
LeeAnn Howard addressed the council, saying, “I am here to ask for temporary closure of Newburg Avenue, from Main Street to Maple Street, on Thanksgiving, from 10:30 until 2:30-ish, for safety reasons during the drive-through dinner.” She and the council discussed that this would be much the same as in previous years, and the council voted to approve the request.
Two representatives of Merchants Bank addressed the council to offer their services, if the city is in need of any financial services that the bank could meet. No action was taken at this time.
Meirau stated, “So compost obviously is done, and we’re still picking up a few leaf piles, but for any residents that still have some leaves or compost to get rid of, they can just run it down to the sewer plant, down at the compost pit.” A reminder was voiced that Mabel’s alternate side parking rule went into effect November 1. The council will hold a brief meeting on November 14 at 6 p.m., just to canvass election results. The next regular meeting of the Mabel council will be December 14 at 6 p.m. The public is welcome.
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