Staff writer
Marion City Council advised City Administrator Doug Kjellin to begin soliciting bids from engineers based on a proposal for construction of Fourth and Williams streets in Marion from Marion County Commission on Monday.
Kjellin said he would begin with Evans, Bierly, Hutchinson, and Associates engineering firm in Marion to gauge the cost of the project. Kjellin said nothing has been decided and negotiations will continue.
The commission’s proposal offered to pay 50 percent of the concrete construction cost of Fourth Street, from Williams to Library streets. The split, with numbers previously provided by Kjellin, would have each government entity providing $55,000 toward materials and construction. The section of Fourth Street, from Williams to Library, has been torn up to allow for construction of the Marion County Jail.
“We did help tear this up,” commissioner Randy Dallke said. “I know we put damages out here. Some of this stuff we’re facing has been blessed upon us.”
The Commission’s proposal stated that Williams Street should go under construction at the same time so the streets lineup properly and the drainage for both streets is considered. Kjellin told the commission that the city could pay for work on Fourth Street in 2012 but would need a street bond for Williams Street in 2013. Kjellin said work could begin this year if the city can procure temporary notes for the project.
With the commission’s proposal, the county would pay for 40 percent of the cost of Williams Street. Under the previous figures that would account for $22,000 with the city paying $33,000.
“It is a butt ugly street,” Commission Chairman Dan Holub said.
The council agreed at its previous meeting on June 25 to pay 100 percent of the cost, about $40,000, of Fourth Street from Main to Williams.
In the county proposal, the county would cover materials and labor costs. Kjellin agreed at the commission meeting that the city would be responsible for engineering costs.
“Bottom line, even though the county courthouse sits here, there streets are city,” Dallke said.