Land purchased to begin city sewer separation work (12/16/03)

At their last meeting in 2003, Portland City Council members accepted a resolution Monday to purchase land needed to begin the Wayne Street/Boundary Pike project.

Council members approved the $17,600 purchase of approximately 2.5 acres near Boundary Pike. This land, purchased from Anna Belle Lare, will be used to help control surface water drainage within the city, according to the resolution.

“The project will eliminate three of the city’s 16 (combined sewer overflows),” said Portland Mayor Jim Hedges. It will separate sewer and storm water lines at Wayne Street/Boundary Pike in southwest Portland.

Also Monday, the council voted for final approval of three ordinances.

First, council members approved the creation of a capital asset policy for city departments and utilities.

The policy, effective Jan. 1, 2004, will document the minimum value of the city’s capital assets to be itemized on financial reports. Capital assets include land, land improvements, monuments, buildings, building improvements, construction in progress, machinery, vehicles and infrastructure.

The council also approved two requests to rezone property on the city’s west side.

A request from landowner Jacqueline Delauter was approved to rezone 6.43 acres to highway service from agricultural. The land is located just north of Portland Forge Employees Federal Credit Union at 1102 W. Votaw St.

The second request was approved to rezone an approximately one-acre lot at 026 South 300 West, which is owned by Deb Zweber, to agricultural. The land was previously zoned for commercial use.

In other business, council members:

•Learned from Portland clerk-treasurer Barbara Blackford that the city received $1.9 million Friday from property taxes collected this year.

•Applauded after plaques were presented to outgoing Councilwoman Stephanie May, Councilman Bob McCreery and Hedges.

May has been a councilwoman from 1996 to 2003 and will be replaced by newly elected Judith Aker. McCreery was honored for his most recent terms on the council from 1993 to 2003, and will be replaced by John Patterson, who was elected in November. Hedges, who didn’t run for re-election, has been mayor for four years and was employed by the city for an additional eight years. Hedges will be replaced by Republican Bruce Hosier, who takes office on Jan. 1.

•Heard Hedges announce that the former Portland Fire Station, located on South Commerce Street, was valued between $97,500 and $100,000 following two appraisals. A joint appraisal will be submitted to the city to determine the value of the building.

“There are four parties that have expressed interest (in buying the building),” Hedges said Monday.

Portland Board of Works members are scheduled to discuss plans to sell the building at their meeting Thursday at 10 a.m. at Portland City Hall.

•Approved a $51.48 sewer bill adjustment for Ruth Brenner, 931 N. Franklin St., Portland, on two months of bills.

Brenner told the council that water leaks in September and November caused her water bill to increase. The leak, located near the foundation of her home, was repaired once in September, then again in November. The leak occurred twice at the same place, Brenner told the council.

•Heard Hedges announce that the council’s next meeting will be on Monday, Jan. 5, at 7 p.m. in the community room of the Portland Fire Station.[[In-content Ad]]