River Heights residents upset about Logan's expansion of 100 East St.

By Patrick Oden

February 27, 2009 | RIVER HEIGHTS ­ Many residents of 500 South Street attended Tuesday night's City Council meeting to voice their concerns over Logan City's development of 100 East Street, which borders River Heights.

The residents expressed extreme concern over the potential for increased traffic flow on their street, as well as the potential loss of property at least one resident faces.

The residents requested that the council construct a gate across 500 South where it meets 100 East Street, which will provide emergency vehicle access but prevent public traffic.

Afraid that Logan city might try to "bully" River Heights, former councilwoman Mary Barrus said, "I don't want the big dog [Logan City] to take a bigger bite than it needs to… it needs to be put back on its leash."

The demolition of a small bridge at the end of 500 South Street would also prevent residents from being able to access their mailboxes, which are presently located across the bridge from their homes. Barrus asked the council to question Logan as to whether or not the city had made provisions for the situation, or if the post office had a solution.

"From what I understand, it literally takes an act of Congress to get mailboxes moved," Barrus said.

"I suspect if you ask the postmaster he would say, 'What? What bridge?'" said Councilman Rob Gines in response to Barrus' concerns.

Resident Pat Trostle expressed her displeasure about being asked to sell Logan city more than 10 feet in depth along the edge of their property. Trostle said this would consume a large portion of her flower garden, driveway, and a 100-year-old tree.

Mayor Bill Baker assured Trostle that River Heights controlled eminent domain relating to her property and she would not be forced to sell any portion of her lot to Logan.

After nearly 45 minutes of comment from the residents, Baker said, "There is no one [city council members] here who disagrees with anything anyone [residents] here says."

The residents and the council agreed the best solution would be to cut a new road into 500 South Street from the north. A feasibility study of this project has already begun.

In other matters, the resolution to transfer monies from the General Capital Fund to the Water Fund was unanimously approved by the council. With the reallocation of $416,625 there remains $169,911 in the General Capital Fund and brings the Water Fund to $133,958 from its previous deficit.

"The only thing that changes is we quit paying interest on a loan to ourselves… which is wrong," said Gines.

Additionally, in an effort to reduce expenses, the city is presently soliciting bids according to policy, to replace the city's copier and printers with a unit that will accomplish all the city's needs and reduce annual cost from approximately $660 to $200. The cost of the new copier is estimated at $5,000, and the $200 annual contract will allow for 26,000 copies, roughly one-half a cent per page printed.

Further, the city took advantage of a Department of Transportation sale and purchased a surplus vehicle, a late model truck, at 45 percent below market value, just over $6,000.

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