GARFIELD - Trying to determine who is responsible for maintaining which roads, Gateway city officials - city recorder, council members and city attorney - met with city residents Thursday, April 4 in Garfield City Hall.
City Attorney Joanne McCracken explained the current Benton County ordinances governing road maintenance and told those in attendance that there were no city records of roads being dedicated to the city. She said that street signs indicate the status of a road with green signs indicating that a road is fully dedicated and will be maintained, a blue sign is a dedicated public road not maintained by county and a white sign indicates a private road that will not be maintained by either city or county government.
“The problem is, it’s all been done with a handshake. We’re trying to get something in writing,” council member Michael Johannsen said.
Any roads that are inside the city limits will be maintained on the same status. James Appleton, Gateway parks and street superintendent, said he is trying to ascertain the status of all the roads and prepare a plan for road maintenance. He said there are about six to seven miles of roads inside the city limits.
“We went through some rough times with grader operators,” Appleton said. “We’re working on a plan to get the roads in shape.”
About 17 people were in attendance and each asked about their road including State Line Road, Old House Road and Dogwood Lane.
“We’re looking at a road maintenance and improvement plan.
That’s very high on the list or priorities,” McCracken said, adding “I’d like you all to remember, too, road maintenance is a high priority, but we have fiscal limits.
The council is trying to come up with a plan to improve and maintain roads, but decisions must be made based on funds available.
We’re looking at grants.”
One resident, Rob Hey, said he had paid for his road to be chipped and sealed out of his own pocket and he didn’t want the city road grader to touch his road.
“I paid $12,000 out of my own pocket. They came in here and did $4,000 worth of damage. I want them to leave it alone,” Hey said.
Bobby Brown, who lives on State Line Road, said: “It seems like it’s all backwards ... my road runs into Missouri. I can’t get nobody to work on it. It should have been taken care of before it was annexed.”
Several people complainedabout annexation and former mayor Lida Schnitzer said it was done legally.
In response to a question about “de-annexing,” Mc-Cracken said residents had eight years from the time of annexation to attempt to pull out of the city.
McCracken said the city would not abandon any residents or roads. “The council said we’re not going to abandon you, but have to work on a priority basis ... in a manner that utilizes the taxpayers’ funds.”
No decisions were made Thursday. McCracken said it was an informational gathering and that the council would address theissue at a regular Council meeting.
News, Pages 1 on 04/10/2013