By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
City Manager Manuel Lara spoke candidly Monday discrediting any lists that name streets selected for repairs as part of an ongoing and extensive road reconstruction project in San Benito.
While a process is in place, in which the city will eventually select streets to repair, Lara said any current lists being published are “falsified documents” and no such streets have been assessed at this time.
City commissioners decided to utilize city employees as well as the San Benito police and fire departments to help select which roads are in the worst shape. While certain city commissioners have canvassed areas and compiled their own notes, Lara emphasized that the city will actually compile a final list. He said, “We’re putting together a recommendation for the commission to approve.”
The list Lara mentioned might or might not include streets preliminarily canvassed by commissioners.
Assistant City Manager Art Rodriguez said, “There is a committee that is supposed to review streets, and the streets are to be addressed from the worst on down. There was a special workshop held where all the streets of the city have been identified. A [special] committee was working on that. They also asked for SBPD and SBFD participation.”
A working compilation of streets will be assessed, with input from firefighters and police officers who patrol the streets regularly. “Then,” said Lara, “we’ll do a recommendation to the commission. At this point, until we decide what the priorities are, we haven’t even identified the streets.”
After the streets are identified, Lara said the last part of the process will be to select an engineer; however, there is no hurry to make such selections in the immediate future. In an attempt to avoid harsh winter weather, Lara said it will be at least March or April before the city begins repairs.
The approved FY 2012-2013 budget allowed for a street supervisor position. At this time, several individuals have applied though Lara said he is waiting to receive additional résumés before making a selection.
“We’re probably going to go outside the area to fill street supervisor position,” Lara said. “If I can find a qualified supervisor who can train our staff, we’re going to go as cost effectively as possible. If I am not able to bring in a qualified person that I feel comfortable with, we might do it in house and go out for bids.”
Rodriguez said the city will hold another workshop in the near future to help assist in their decision making process.
For this street repair endeavor, the city will borrow between $2.9 – $3.5 million dollars, depending on varying interest rates. Monies borrowed will be repaid with a recently approved property tax hike of $.04 per $100 property valuation, which was approved in September. Officials hope to pay back this debt within the next 20 years.
Read this story in the Nov. 7 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
2 comments
City needs to install side walks leading from the new apts complexs around stooky road and Labsy Park Rd.. Children dodge cars walking to and from Dr Cash & Miller Jordon. It’s been a long time since I have seen a SB Police car parked by the side of the road behind the Heather Apts during the moring or afternoon watching for cars who do not make a complete stop at the stop sign on Ponicana st before school and after school. I’am left wondering if anybody opened up a Donut Shop somewhere in town.
The street that needs repair is shafer road it’s in front of a middle school and it looks terrible every time my mom drives me to my game it’s messing up my mom’s tires with all the pot holes that were patched up while back the city needs to do something with the street asap.