City begins exploring downtown sidewalk options

WORLAND — With the decorative downtown sidewalk beginning to show some wear the city of Worland, through the building department and Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission (BAPC) are beginning to explore options for replacing the raised, red sidewalk.

During last month’s BAPC meeting, city building official Nick Kruger said there are many questions to consider during the exploration including — if the sidewalks are replaced should they be replaced with flat sidewalks or stamped sidewalks, colored or not colored.

Kruger said along with the wear showing from the sidewalks, including multiple cracks, there have been concerns about safety, with the surface becoming slick. At Thursday’s meeting, Kruger said he experienced just how slick the surface can become while shoveling snow earlier this week around city hall.

In the February meeting Dan Frederick said when the sidewalks were installed they were supposed to be textured so they would not be slick. “But that didn’t happen,” he added.

Kruger said in addition to safety and the cracks, another driving force in the exploration is grant funding available from the Wyoming Department of Transportation that could provide funding at an 80-20 level match with WYDOT paying for 80 percent of the project and the city 20 percent.

Frederick said he would like the city to have more say in who the contractor would be if the city goes the route of the grant, noting WYDOT made the decision last time.

He added, “My concern is safety.” He said he did like the color and pattern of the sidewalk.

BAPC Chairman Scott Fritzler said he likes having the downtown standout with a different color but added, “It could be a better product.”

Garret Immesoete asked if the city was getting a grant to replace these sidewalks how does that impact other businesses or residents who have to pay for sidewalk replacement on their own.

Mike Donnell of Donnell & Allred Engineering said what makes the downtown unique and eligible for grant funding is that a highway (U.S. 20) runs through it.

Jenn Rasmussen, BAPC member and chamber executive director said outside vendors during Harvest Fest and other activities do not like the textured surface. She said she likes the sidewalks being different than the rest of the town as it helps define the downtown area.

It was noted during discussion that a flat surface is easier to clean off and keep clear during winter.

Kruger also said any change in the sidewalk would mean the Americans With Disabilities corners would have to be redone as they do meet current ADA standards. He noted they did meet standards at the time they were installed.

Kruger said he would like to do a survey of downtown business and property owners as part of the exploration.

Immesoete said the public also needs a chance to provide input as everyone walks on the sidewalks.

CELL TOWER

In other business at Thursday’s BAPC meeting, Kruger said the Verizon cell tower permit will come before the committee in April. He said the proposal is to have the tower placed at the Worland High School football stadium. A light pole on the south side of the bleachers would be replaced with a taller pole to accommodate stadium lights and the cell tower.

He said the city does not have any architectural standards that must be adhered to, adding that the Federal Communications Commission rules do require a quick decision when the request comes before the board.

Kruger said most of his comments from residents as they have heard about the proposal is the location. He said next to the bleachers helps in that the tower won’t be placed somewhere that it stands out.

He said his initial review is that the permit application meets all Federal Aviation Administration rules as well.

The Washakie County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees approved the cell tower last June.

By allowing the tower on school property, the district would receive $1,000 monthly.

In addition to the tower the company would need a small building to house equipment including a backup generator. Kruger said the initial proposal was for the building to be under the bleachers but that is not allowed by regulations. The location that is now being proposed is near the bus barn.