Monday, March 10, 2014
ROGERS — ROGERS -- Aldermen will vote Tuesday on whether to close the road circling Lake Atalanta.
Whether to close the road has been the topic of discussion at public meetings on the Lake Atalanta renovation project. The majority of people attending two meetings devoted to the road issue said they wanted to keep the road open.
MEETING INFORMATION
Rogers City Council
The Rogers City Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Council Chambers at City Hall, 301 W. Chestnut St. Enter on the northeast corner of the building.
Agenda items include:
• Appropriating $24,640 for the Police Department.
• Appropriating $11,000 for construction of a roof over the outdoor kennel which was damaged in December.
• Declaring two pieces of property surplus, one is First Street and the other on Fourth Street, and authorizing the sale of the property.
• Authorizing a $228,149 contract with Source Gas for relocation of utilities along Monte Ne Road, between New Hope Road and Gum Street, for a street improvement project.
• Authorizing a contract with J&L Concrete to provide concrete work for 2014.
• Authorizing a contract with Sand Creek Engineering for design services for a portion of the northern corridor trail.
• Authorizing changes to the water service boundary map.
• Rezoning property at 1100 W. Hudson Road from highway commercial to open display.
Those wanting to keep the road open said it would be difficult for elderly fishermen to carry equipment from the parking lot to their favorite fishing spot. Concern was expressed that visitors who aren't capable of walking around the lake have the opportunity to drive around it.
Those in favor of closing the road cited safety as a reason. They said they feared if the road is paved, drivers will speed and could injure walkers and bike riders.
"It's time to move forward on this issue," Mayor Greg Hines said Friday. "I would like for the aldermen to vote on whether to close the road. No matter what the decision, there are things that must be done to accomplish either option."
If aldermen vote to keep the road open, a firm will have to be hired to design the road and a drainage system, said Steve Glass, planning and transportation director.
"Drainage will be an issue because there is a steep hill on the east side of the lake. Storm water runoff from the hill will have to be funneled into some type of drainage system to protect the road and prevent erosion," Glass said.
Should aldermen decide to close the road, public meetings and other steps will be required, Hines said.
NW News on 03/10/2014