The Whitehall city council reexamined a March request to construct a fence on Thriftwood Street and again opted to take no action after learning more about the complicated process the city would likely have to follow to take action on the property.
The request was originally made by property owners Megan and Zach Aney, who own property on both sides of the mapped road.
City attorney Will Meier referred to Thriftwood and streets like it as "paper roads" - roads that were dedicated to the public some decades ago (in the 1950s, in this road's case) but were never developed due to lack of need. In order to take action over the street, Meier said, the city council would have to adopt a resolution to accept the dedication of the street, which could be legally contested by nearby property owners as the city has had so long to do so and has not yet done it.
During council discussion, council member Roger Squiers noted that most property owners in the area in question have purchased adjoining property, presumably because they do not want changes to be made. Given that, Squiers felt it would be very unlikely they would accept attempts by the city to act on the "paper road."
Though Mayor Tom Ziemer shared his desire to potentially build a path in the area that could connect with Gibbs Street as well as to the Evangelical Covenant Church, Squiers wasn't enthusiastic about the idea for cost reasons and didn't feel there was sufficient interest to the city. Bryan Mahan agreed with Squiers, saying to act on the road after all these years would be "a waste of time and money."
The council did unanimously approve a Match on Main grant for The Gnarly Heifer restaurant, the first to be approved since City Manager Dan Tavernier launched the project last month. The restaurant requested the grant, which is awarded with a 1-to-1 match with participating businesses, as part of an ongoing outdoor improvement project it has been pursuing since a vehicle accident last year. The work, which the restaurant estimates will be completed by May 1, includes already-in-progress patio fencing, as well as exterior lighting, patio lighting, a shade structure and outdoor decorative enhancements. The restaurant estimated the total cost of the work at $12,000.
There was some council discussion on supporting the grant given that some of the work in question has already been completed, though Tavernier noted that the grant does not provide for backdating funds, so only work yet to be done will be included. After council member Scott Brown shared concerns with the lack of an itemized list of expenses for the project in the application, Tavernier said he will ensure one is provided. Tavernier added that he's "adamant about supporting this" grant program due to the welcoming atmosphere it creates for people entering the city.
The council also unanimously approved a revised fee schedule, which raised some fees, including returned check fees, half-day park rental fees, marina fees and police service fees. However, the latter fees are often waived for community members, Squiers and police chief Brandon Mahoney both said, and are in place mostly for when records are requested by insurance companies and attorneys, who do so for business reasons. The city also added a $400 snow removal fee for those requesting burials in city cemeteries due to an increase in such requests, City Clerk Brenda Bourdon said. She did note that if the ground is frozen, the city does not have equipment to accommodate a winter burial regardless of snow.
