400 WEST/PARRISH LANE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS

Steve Thacker, Executive Director, reported Dairy Queen knows the City has committed $25,000 to the 400 West/Parrish Lane intersection improvements. There has not yet been an agreement on the price of the property the City wishes to purchase from Dairy Queen for this purpose. Dairy Queen is aware that the purchase price of the property will come out of the $25,000 and the remainder of that money will go toward improvements. Any additional funds needed for the improvements will be provided by Dairy Queen. The City is still waiting a response from the Credit Union on the opposite side of the intersection regarding the proposed improvement of that corner.

REPLACEMENT OF TREES ALONG 400 WEST

Steve Thacker, Executive Director, reported staff is asking the RDA to approve the use of RDA money in the amount of $5,100 to replace seventeen (17) trees along 400 West (west side of Wal-Mart).

Chair Russell questioned if there is any recourse against Wal-Mart for these trees. These trees were obviously not cared for correctly and thus resulted in the need to replace them. He questioned how the City plans to ensure the new trees are not dealt with similarly. Mr. Russell suggested staff contact Wal-Mart to discuss these concerns.

Mr. Thacker said he has sent a letter to Wal-mart asking them to participate in the cost for new trees. He said staff was supportive of replacing the trees because the trees were originally requested as part of the site approvals. Since that time the Police Chief has expressed concerns with visibility at access points. Wal-Mart incurred unnecesary costs to install these trees which will be removed due to the Chief’s concerns. Therefore, staff feels it is reasonable for the RDA to replace the other trees at this time.

Director Cutler made a motion to approve the expenditure of up to $5,100 dollars for the purpose of replacing seventeen (17) trees along 400 West and ask staff to contact Wal-Mart to encourage a contribution from them for the said trees as well as participate in a discussion regarding the care of the trees so they do not prune these improperly again. The motion was seconded by Director Wright and passed by unanimous vote (6-0).

The meeting was adjourned at 10:04 p.m.

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Steve Thacker, Executive Director                                           Date Approved

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Kathleen Streadbeck, Recording Secretary