A year after construction began, the Northeast Area Street & Utility Project in Clearwater may be coming to an end soon.

 

At Monday’s Clearwater City Council meeting, Engineer Joe Pelawa of Bolton & Menk said the contractor, RL Larson, may be working on a long list of punch list items and replacing driveways in the next few weeks.

 

Over the past few months, the city council has been trying to resolve issues by residents who want their driveways approaches lowered. Many have complained about bottoming out when they pull into their driveways.

 

After first getting a list of homeowners who wanted their driveways altered to the knock-down type, the council changed course and agreed to replace all the driveways.

 

Cost issues and potential drainage problems caused council members to change their minds again at the last meeting. The current plan is to change driveways of  residents who responded to a survey to have them changed.

 

Since the last council meeting, another follow-up survey was sent out to confirm whether those residents were still on board with having the driveways changed. Monday was the final day for residents to respond.

 

“We haven’t compiled the information yet,” said Pelawa. “We have it and we’re looking at moving forward. We need to get the final list to RL Larson so they can do their scheduling. I’d like to say they’d be out there this week, but they’re waiting to get that list.”

 

In addition to replacing the driveways, there are cracked sidewalks, cracked curbs and issues with puddling in some areas. Pelawa said those will be reviewed and addressed. But the timing is still a question.

 

“There’s a whole variety of things we’re anticipating discussing with the contractor,” he said. “I’m not saying he’s going to be in here this week. We’re hoping that he gets things done here within the next two or three weeks.”

 

Pelawa said the intent is to put on the final lift of blacktop this year. 

 

“I’d say by the end of August, 90% of this stuff  should be done and then the final wear course would be done in September,” he said. “But it also depends on the contractor’s schedule.”

 

The council approved an expenditure of $6,900 to Water Tower Clean and Coat Inc. to clean the city’s two water towers inside and out. Administrator Kevin Kress said the work should be started and completed in the next few weeks.

 

In other action the council:

 

• Approved a donation of $5,000 from the Clearwater Lions Club to the Clearwater Fire Dept. to be used at its discretion;

 

• Approved  a Step 6 wage increase for Administrative Assistant/ Accounting Clerk Joni Larson to $18.77 per hour;

 

 

• Approved a Step 3 wage increase for Robbie Kottke of public works to $17.34 per hour.