By CHRISTINE OLIVA The Kansas City Star
Date: 05/23/00 22:15
Copyright © 2000 The Kansas City Star

The Raytown Board of Aldermen is expected to vote next month on a right of way management ordinance intended to help the city recover the cost of street cuts.

"We want fair and equitable cost-sharing," said City Administrator Curt Wenson. "Every time any type of maintenance gets done and a street gets cut, the life expectancy goes down."

Because Raytown is an older community, almost all the utilities are under the streets instead of in grassy areas, he said. So when a repair is made, the streets have to be uprooted.

The ordinance would allow the city to keep track of who is using and maintaining property it owns. It also includes a degradation fee intended to offset any injury to the streets.

"Right now the city is paying," said City Attorney Bob Neds. "Should that be the way it works, or should it be the users?"

Representatives from several utilities serving Raytown spoke against the degradation fee at the last board meeting. Because Aldermen Jeff Kinman and Bob Merrill were not there, the board decided to hold further discussion until June 6.

To reach Christine Oliva, Raytown reporter, call (816) 234-7802 or send e-mail to coliva@kcstar.com