Residents Vote on Paying for Bridge Repairs

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Some property owners questioned costly proposed repairs to a Milligan Drive bridge that other residents say is needed to ensure emergency access to a tiny and historic Laguna Canyon enclave.

“I have big holes of understanding,” said Patricia Truman, one of 33 property owners that is being asked to share the $340,000 cost of bridge improvements in a proposed assessment district. “I just got notified last week and know nothing about this,” Truman told the City Council this past Tuesday, Oct. 20.

At issue is a Sept. 8 council decision setting the stage for approving a Milligan Drive Bridge Improvements Assessment District. If a majority of the 33 property owners involved approve the deal, assessments would range from $1,600 to $31,000. Votes are due Dec. 8. The city has a $73,000 bill based on property it owns inside the improvement zone. Additionally, the city will fund $82,000 of the project as part of the general public benefit.

Currently the bridge serves as the only vehicle access for Milligan Drive, a street coming off Laguna Canyon Road near Canyon Acres Road that provides access to Fairywood, small homes linked by footpaths. It also provides access to a portion of the Sarah Thurston mobile home park, at Woodland Drive and Laguna Canyon Road, the staff report says. “If the bridge provides support and emergency access, the city should bear the cost, or expand the assessment,” said Helen Truly, a concerned citizen, but not a property owner in the proposed assessment district.

Public Works Director Steve May described the upcoming vote Dec. 8 as whether to finalize the assessment district and pursue the project. “Caltrans currently owns the property under the bridge,” said May. “And we have no obligation to fix the bridge,” he said, responding to a question posed by Mayor Pro Tem Dicterow. Caltrans, while owning the property under the bridge, will not accept any role in fixing the structure, because Milligan Drive is a private road.

The city agreed to assume responsibility for the bridge under the proposed agreement to avoid its closure, since civil engineers described its condition as poor with a carrying capacity of 2 tons, City Manager John Pietig said. Trash and fire trucks already are prohibited from using the bridge due to the weight limit.

“We understand the cost concern of the residents, but we have adjusted the assessment methodology several times and have assessed the city properties and benefit to the maximum extent practical,” he said. “The city got involved because we do not want to be in the position of having to close that bridge. Once the process is complete, the city takes over bridge maintenance.”

            The next step on Dec. 8 will be for council to count the 33 assessment ballots, mailed out to owners on Oct. 8. Until the vote is final, impacted owners can contest the assessments by appealing to city officials.

“Many of us are concerned because we are senior citizens and want to help pay for the bridge,” said Sharon Risley, who will be assessed over $12,000 if the vote succeeds. “I am impacted by this decision, and it is a little bit of a burden,” she said, with a hint of sarcasm.

While options will not be finalized until the December meeting, property owners could pay the assessment in full, make annual payments with their property tax bill under an attached city lien, or agree to a property lien that would be repaid when a home is sold.

Correction:

The article Residents Vote On Paying For Bridge Repairs” in the Oct. 22 edition incorrectly identified a resident. She is Helen Shirley, a property owner in the proposed assessment district.

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