Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

City asked to look at highway funding options

A Prescott resident told members of the Prescott City Council that she believes there are funding alternatives for a water and sewer replacement project on East Main Street. Council members and city officials have cited the cost of replacing those lines as the reason for their support of a State Highway Department widening project on that street.

Meredith Dewoody expressed her objections to a plan that would widen East Main Street - which is also Highway 24 - from the Union Pacific Railroad crossing to the intersection with Cale Road. There has been a public meeting and several area residents said they are not in favor of the widening project. Various points have been made, including the fact that the project requires several trees to be removed and that some people are concerned about speeding and safety.

While at least some of the council members say they understand that some of the residents dont want to see the highway widened, they say theres another point to be considered. The city has reportedly provided the state with documentation that the water and sewer lines along that stretch of Main Street were already in place when the state designated that street as Highway 24. That means the state becomes responsible for replacing those lines as part of the widening project. The water and sewer lines are old, according to city officials, and would cost the city more than $1 million to replace them.

One June 18, Dewoody said she had done some research and contacted state and federal representatives, and that she believed there are some funds available. She asked the council if anyone has checked into the possibility of alternative funding.

Dewoody cited the age of the water and sewer lines in that entire area of town, and asked the council if there is a plan for replacing other sections of line.

Main Street is just a little tip of the iceburg, she said. Maybe we should look at funding sources that wouldnt fix just seven little blocks of our community.

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor said one of the funding sources cited by Dewoody - known as a Community Development Block Grant - is typically divided up so that communities can expect to receive only a relatively small amount.

Council members gave little indication of their thoughts on the issue. Taylor said he will talk to U.S. Congressman Mike Ross regarding federal funding sources.

In other business, the council approved an agreement to continue services with Community Probation Services. The company has provided probation and court-related services for several years but the county has recently asked for a formal agreement.