Downtown sidewalks, alleys, the mall parking lot and recycling were discussed at the Oskaloosa City Council’s Public Projects Committee on Tuesday.

City Engineer Liz Finarty distributed plans to make the sidewalk in front of Brown’s Shoe Fit compliant with guidelines from the Americans with Disabilities Act. The plan cost the city $3,300 to replace the concrete and would lower and flatten an area within four feet from the Brown’s Shoe Fit building and connect both doors. A sharper slope at the building’s sidewalk occurred after angle parking had been installed as part of the downtown sidewalk project.

City Manager Brian James said the sidewalk improvement would be in response to a complaint and not to make the sidewalk ADA compliant, because there are other areas of the square that have cross slope issues.

Mayor David Dixon supported the plan to level the sidewalk.

“I think it is the most practical solution,” Dixon said.

City Council Members Aaron Ver Steeg and Jimmy Carter were hesitant to support the project.

Ver Steeg questioned whether it would fix the problem, since the change would not go out to the curb. Carter was worried about replacing other sections of the sidewalk.

Wills questioned if the city had a choice to comply with ADA standards. The project will be sent to the City Council with no recommendation from the committee.

On alleys, Ver Steeg proposed improving the alley behind Cork and Bottle in the 300 block of A Avenue West. He said the alley sees a lot of traffic and the cost to keep it up with rock is too great. Public Works Director David Neubert said the cost to seal coat the alley would be $7,000 and the cost to put down asphalt would be $25,000.

Another alley, on the southside of A Avenue between South Second and South Third Street was also discussed.

On the mall parking lot, James will meet with a Hy-Vee representative later in the week to discuss the west parking lot. James also discussed a need to repair the lot by Mathew Carpets. Council Member Carter asked that the city attorney review who is responsible for the mall parking lot’s upkeep.

The committee also discussed recycling issues, including how to make recycling more attractive in Oskaloosa and whether the number of haulers was damaging city roads.

Herald staff writer Wes Kappelman can be reached by e-mail at news2@oskyherald.com