T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY The Marshalltown city council again tabled a decision on a proposed change order to install chain link fencing along the Center Street Viaduct, which has been closed since April, during Monday night's meeting.

In a familiar turn of events reminiscent of happenings at recent regular and special meetings, the Marshalltown city council yet again delayed making a decision on whether to repair or replace the current railings on the Center Street Viaduct, remove them and install chain link fencing, or pursue some other course of action altogether on Monday evening.

A change order for $109,050 to install chain link fencing was on the agenda after the council punted on a decision during an hourlong special meeting held July 1, and as he made his way to the microphone on Monday, City Engineer Ben Daleske immediately advised the council to withdraw the item from consideration, which prompted Councilor Greg Nichols to ask him when they could expect to see all of their options.

Daleske responded that he received options last Friday but wanted to make sure he had “all the information” from Boulder Contracting before bringing the numbers and timeline to the council. He estimated that the details would be ready for the next council meeting.

“I’m sorry, why can’t we vote on this tonight? Why are you recommending we don’t vote on this? What’s the real reason?” Councilor Gary Thompson asked.

Daleske replied that they had received pricing but still had questions for Boulder that needed answers. If the council approved the change order on Monday, Thompson said, they could be faced with another change order involving the price.

“You can, but we’d be back with another change order because there’s additional costs that aren’t covered in this original change order, so it would have to come back to council,” City Administrator Carol Webb said.

Thompson then returned to a question he has asked several times throughout the debate over the railing and fencing: when will the viaduct actually be reopened to pedestrians and drivers? Daleske predicted vehicle traffic would be back open by October, but pedestrian traffic could be later. Nichols wondered if there would be a barricade for pedestrians, and Councilor Mark Mitchell worried that keeping pedestrians off of it would be difficult.

“I think it’s a liability issue we’re looking at,” Mitchell said.

Councilor Jeff Schneider expressed his preference for waiting two more weeks and potentially calling a special meeting beforehand if needed. He then motioned to table the matter until city staff is ready, and it passed by a 4-3 vote with Thompson, Marco Yepez-Gomez and Nichols opposed.

Contact Robert Maharry at (641) 753-6611 ext. 255 or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.