Centerville Tidbits
Resident's Driveway Status Left Up In The Air
It's a puzzler: What do you do when the city reconstructs your road, and your driveway ends up four-and-a-half feet too high?
In Centerville resident Cathy Fruth's case, she decided to bring the matter before the city council.
At its regular June 25 meeting, the Centerville City Council heard that re-grading work done on Fruth's driveway leading to her property on Old Mill Road as part of a city project had left her with a seven percent grade, which she was finding too steep to navigate.
"Twice I have almost hit other cars, not being able to stop because of [the steepness of the drive now]," she told council members.
Fruth said that through the snow and ice of the winter, she had been unable to access her drive in her vehicle without crossing the street and "taking three runs at it."
Council members resolved to send the city engineer out to inspect the property and report back at a future meeting as to what needed to be done.
In other action, the council:
. Entertained a brief discussion on the City Code Section 51.08 which requires all residents to hook up to city water and sewer within 12 months of being given access to it, or by 2012 at the latest. Council members indicated they would like first to discuss the setting up of a water service fee for all citizens, but suggested that the hook-up deadline should be extended until 2020.
. Approved a shoreline restoration plan for Hidden Spring Park. Natural Shore Technologies, Inc. will install plantings and protection materials along 220 feet of shoreline on Centerville Lake.
. Heard a presentation from Steve McDonald of the company Abdo, Eick and Meyers LLP, on the city's financial audit for 2007.
. Heard from Sergeant Pat Aldrich that the Centennial Lakes Police Department was back up to full strength of 17 following the appointment of another officer. Aldrich also reported there had been more vandalism at Centerville's skate park, involving three to four nights of graffiti attacks, despite increased vigilance by police. Agreed to award the bid for the 2008 street seal coat project to Allied Blacktop Company for $104,975.
. Met four members of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) from Centerville, who graduated from their training course on May 5, by completing a disaster scenario which revolved around a tornado. They received praise from the council and Centennial Lakes Police Department police chief Robert Makela for their actions on that night, and again 20 days later, when they got to put their newly learned skills to use after the F3 tornado struck Hugo.
. Approved a request by St. Genevieve's Church for a temporary liquor license, special event permit and use of the city's old public works site on Centerville Road for the church's chicken dinner on Aug. 17.