A member of the Planning Commission objected to procedures surrounding a recent request for quotes issued by the commission.
The commission had sought contractors to create new maps for the city, showing city-owned properties, as well as utilities and other necessary information. Commissioner Susan Harman said any responses to the RFQ [Request for Quote] should have come back to the commission for consideration. Chair Fergie Stewart had explained that Mayor Butch Berry planned to review the responses with Public Works Director Simon Wiley before forwarding the information to the commission.
Harman objected to that procedure, although Stewart explained that the mayor and Wiley wanted to make sure that the prospective contractors did not conflict with work the city had already done in this area. Stewart also characterized the review as normal executive procedure, but Harman insisted that the commission could call in department heads to answer any questions.
Stewart pointed out that the commission will need funding from city council, so it made sense to work through the city. He also noted that the mayor had issued the RFQ, and responses should come back to him directly. Harman disagreed, and she asked for a legal opinion concerning the mayor’s ability to screen the responses before the commission sees them.
The commission had also issued an RFQ for an abstracter to review city-owned properties, but no responses were received. Stewart said the mayor will contact some abstracters directly to ask for proposals.
Tree cuts approved
Sitting as the Board of Zoning Adjustment, the commissioners approved the removal of 12 trees at 3091 E. Van Buren for owner Zachary Weber. The space will be used for an RV Park. Arborist Mike Larrew represented the application and explained that the trees in question “would not be viable, even without this project.” Commissioner Scott Price asked why the pine trees were in poor health, and Larrew explained that chronic drought has made the trees more susceptible to bugs and disease. The sale of the property will not be complete until the end of the month, and Harman said no trees should be cut until the property transfers.
The other tree-cut applications on the agenda were approved with little discussion. The commissioners approved the removal of one tree at 216 W. Van Buren, for David and Ethan Avanzino. Derek Drouillard received permission to remove two trees at 2 Mill Hollow Rd.
In other business:
- During public comments, Paul Minze, a resident of Mountain Street, questioned whether the city can assign sidewalk maintenance responsibilities to homeowners. He said he plans to check the history of his property through title companies and the previous owner. “In my opinion, we do not own this space,” he said.
- Half-hour workshops on sidewalks and the city’s vision plan preceded the regular meeting. Commissioner Mike Welch was singled out for his work on updating the vision plan. Stewart expressed his appreciation for public input on the sidewalk issue. “We’re going to wrestle with it for some time,” he said, “but we’re making progress.” The two workshops will be repeated before the June 9 commission meeting.
- Commissioner Ann Tandy-Sallee asked to postpone a discussion of nuisance properties until the next meeting.
- Cassie Dishman, director of Planning and Community Development, thanked city council members for participating in a joint workshop on sidewalks with the Planning Commission.