October 29, 2020 - The Timpson City Council agreed to move forward with planning for work on the sidewalk at the corner of Austin and Bremond Streets during their meeting October 26, 2020; however, their decision didn't exactly align with the approval of the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) decision.
Immediately following the completion of the EDC meeting, the Timpson City Council convened and Mayor Debra Smith informed the council of the EDC decision to move forward with Cox Contractors handling the project at an expected possible cost of $38,000.
"The EDC voted to fund it out of EDC funds and to go with Cox Contractors at a cost not to exceed $49,500 but we feel like that the project will come in around $38,000," said Smith.
Mayor Smith then looked to the council to move forward on the EDC decision.
Teri Alexander, councilwoman, asked if the plan was to just install an ADA ramp, or if the project is to include more of the sidewalk.
Smith explained the sidewalk in front of the building is going to be fixed so it's ADA compliant. Currently there's a ridge going into two entry doors the sidewalk is also broken in several places. That sidewalk will be torn out, replaced and brought up to ADA compliance. An ADA parking spot is also planned if it can be accomplished without creating a water hazard, otherwise the ramp will somehow have to be figured out and parking at the library will be utilized.
"Why doesn't that fall back on the county for not making sure that the building was an ADA compliant facility to begin with? And then I have a problem with what, they're paying $500 a month rent, because that's what that building was. That's $6,000 a year that tax payers are going to be paying plus we're fixing to do $50,000 and we've got roads that need to be fixed in this town," said Alexander
Mayor Smith said a person can rent a building without first ensuring it's ADA compliant and she stated the sidewalk is the responsibility of the city. Smith explained to Alexander a ramp on the Bremond Street side of the sidewalk is a "dolly ramp" and isn't ADA compliant and she explained to Kenneth Walker, councilman, it's yet to be determined if the ramp may have to be installed on the Bremond Street side due to drain water flow.
"The end project will be the sidewalk in front of the office will be repaired so it's not cracked, broken or a trip hazard. It'll be brought up to the opening of the doorways because right now it's a step down, which is not ADA compliant and then there'll be ADA parking," said Smith.
Smith explained once they have been made aware the sidewalk is an issue and is not ADA compliant they can potentially become liable if something were to happen, because the sidewalk belongs to the city.
Charleston Johnson, councilman, asked why the Justice of the Peace and Constable couldn't be housed in the police department where they once were years ago, since there is now only one officer. Smith said there isn't enough room; however, Alexander said Judge Sanford used to be there and court used to be held in the council room.
"Why can't they come in here and hold court? Like I said, that's $6,000 a year you know that's coming out of the tax payers, the precinct tax payers, to pay them to have rent when they were sitting right there wasn't paying rent for the city. All they had to do was pay a light bill and water bill," said Alexander.
Alexander referenced the previous location and arrangement of the Justice of the Peace office.
Walker wanted to know how close the ramp is required to be to the entrance of the office, but that information wasn't available during the meeting.
An additional issue are several water meters that run right alongside the sidewalk in grass.
"They're a trip hazard and they're also in danger of getting just the meter lines getting busted with people walking, moving stuff, anything. They're not safe and neat," said Smith. "That wouldn't be part of the EDC project, that would be a water project to put all eight meters in a concrete vault," said Smith.
Smith explained the cost difference between Goodwin-Lasiter-Strong and Cox Contractors was in the same ballpark with a couple thousand dollars difference.
"There is a person that owns that building and she bought that building with the intention of renting it, and so she has reached out to the city in good faith expecting us to meet her tenants needs as the city so that she is able to rent it because she is paying property tax as a commercial building," said Smith.
As discussion over the project continued, the council remained uncertain about moving forward with the project without a design plan in place.
A motion carried for the EDC to spend $7,950 to get an engineered drawing from Goodwin-Lasiter-Strong for the sidewalk project and come back to look at the project at a later date.
Related article:
- Timpson Council Removes Smith from EDC; Wolfe Demonstrates Power Over Citizens (EDC Background History)
- County Decisions Burden Timpson Coffers; City Awards Sanitation Contract
- Timpson EDC Approves Sidewalk Repair at JP, Constable New Office Location
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. EDC to spend $7,950 to get an engineered drawing from Goodwin-Lasiter-Strong for the sidewalk project and come back to look at the project at a later date. 2. Accept the resignation of Chris Jones and hire Brian Elpha to start in 2 weeks at $14 an hour. 3. Adjourn.
