City Council Addresses Bridges, Sidewalks At Meeting

MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL — Mountain Brook council members decided at their Nov. 27 meeting to reconsider the creation of a new bridge for Caldwell Mill Road out of concern for flooding.

In order to move forward with both the Caldwell Mill bridge and the Old Brook Trail bridge, a representative with Gresham Smith Partners suggested conducting a dual flood study survey for both projects to come up with a solution that would mitigate flooding risks in both areas. A single study would allow the city to tweak its proposals for one FEMA approval, which would save both time and money, though the project would be delayed until the end of 2018 or beginning of 2019.

Public works director Ronnie Vaughn confirmed at the meeting that the bridges will be able to handle traffic until the city moves forward with the project.

A representative with Sain Associates also presented multiple grant options for road projects, two of them falling under the Transportation Alternative Program funding, and a third option under a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant.

The first grant option would address sidewalks connecting Overhill, Balmoral and Pine Crest roads, which the councils voted to put aside for a later date due to its heightened cost of $800,000.

The second grant would fund sidewalks connecting North Woodridge Road, Locksley Drive and Dunbarton Drive, which will cost $1.485 million to construct. If the city holds off on its first sidewalk project and receives a TAP grant for the second, the city would only have to pay about $250,000. The council approved this grant application.

The CMAQ grant would fund sidewalks for Pine Ridge Road, which if granted would bring the city's costs down to $540,000. Pine Ridge Road is part of the first phase of the city's sidewalk plan, and also includes Mountain Park Drive, Montevallo Lane and Richmar Drive, but the city elected to only apply for funds for Pine Ridge to reduce costs.

Also on the council's agenda:

-Approval of the minutes of the Nov. 13 meeting

-Presentation of a painting of City Hall from the Exceptional Foundation

-Approval of a resolution authorizing the a street light at the intersection of Euclid Avenue and Beech Street

-Approval of a resolution revoking the business license of Dakota Colton Smith of dba Paving and Concrete Co. for door-to-door solicitation without a permit

-Approval of a resolution removing a short-term parking sign in English Village

-Approval of a recommendation from Skipper Consultants to use Stone and Sons Electric to perform work on the traffic lights at Euclid Avenue and Country Club Road

-Review of a new proposition for the Mountain Brook Elementary restroom

-Approval of a resolution authorizing the website development proposal

Two public hearings were set for Dec. 11, one to consider an ordinance amending the zoning code by changing the expiration of a BZA variance from six months to one year, and one as a continuation from the Nov. 13 meeting on the Overton Condo development.

The next council meeting will be on Dec. 11.