Oakland looks at major 2020-21 projects

Several capital projects were approved in the town of Oakland’s Fiscal Year 2020-21 impact fee budget, and now it’s time to start working on them.

Town Manager Steve Koontz provided details of the projects in a workshop during the Oct. 27 Town Commission meeting; staff now can begin moving forward with the list.

The first project to be tackled is the extension of Starr Street from Oakland Avenue to West Colonial Drive. The first steps will include obtaining a survey and utility information. Lakeside Church and Tractor Supply will provide right of way for the development of Starr adjacent to their properties.

Koontz said the town will hold community meetings because Oakland Presbyterian Church and a number of residents would be affected.

“At the same time we do Starr, we’re going to look for a corridor for Sadler (Avenue) for future development,” Koontz said.

The Sadler Avenue Trail is another project, which will extend the cemetery loop trail through the Longleaf at Oakland subdivision. The right of way already has been acquired. Funding is included in the park impact fee budget for the trail’s design. The town also is looking at the feasibility of the trail along Tubb Street to complete the loop.

Another project involves improvements and ADA accessibility at the Jake Voss Pier. The town is proposing handicap parking and a path leading to the pier.

At Speer Park, the town is making improvements in phases. The initial work includes planting trees and adding walking paths. Park maintenance will be increased.

Ultimately, the town is replacing the playground equipment, adding a canopy on the west side, adding pickleball and junior basketball courts and refurbishing the tennis and basketball courts. Koontz said the process of replacing the playground should start in the spring.

HAYES PROMOTED TO CORPORAL

Cpl. Jason Hayes, who was promoted to his current position effective Oct. 12, was introduced to the Town Commission, and his wife, Hannah, was there to perform the pinning. Hayes has been with Oakland for four years, and in that time he has served as a patrol officer; instructor for training, firearms and Taser; department armorer; field training officer; member of the Honor Guard; and mentor to the younger officers.

SOLID WASTE CONTRACT

Elected officials approved the formation of a one-year Solid Waste Advisory Committee to make recommendations to the Town Commission concerning future solid waste services. The town’s contract with Advanced Disposal expires Jan. 31, 2022, and the town wants to review options before extending the contract for the pickup and disposal of garbage, recycling and yard waste.

“I want them to come back with some recommendations of what they think the solid waste program should look like,” Koontz said.

There are choices to consider, he said, including the cost and level of service and whether or not to include cans or separate recycling. The town spends about $168,000 annually for trash, Mayor Kathy Stark said.

“I would really like for us to take a step back and think about processes and recycling and how the world is handling these kinds of things,” she said.

Commissioner Mike Satterfield added: “This is something that affects every single individual. … When people complain around here, the garbage is a big, big issue.”