Resident presses city for sidewalk access and clarification on condemnation process; city cites ongoing legal steps

Marion City — At the second public forum of a special council meeting, resident Brad Mitchell urged the city to consider alternative sidewalk access and driveway options for his property and asked whether the council could discuss financing or design alternatives before finalizing actions tied to the project area.

Mitchell said contractors have been unwilling to provide estimates because of uncertainty about how the curb, sidewalk and access will be configured and described steep elevation differences that complicate a direct sidewalk from front to back on his property on 8th Avenue. He asked for more time to consult contractors and for staff guidance on feasible options.

The city attorney told Mitchell the city had already considered resolutions related to condemnation and setting fair‑market value for the parcel and that staff had received a counteroffer, which would be handled as part of the legal process. The attorney and staff emphasized the public forum is not the venue for negotiating counteroffers and said staff would meet with Mitchell after the meeting to continue discussions.

Council and staff encouraged Mitchell to coordinate with the city engineer and legal team and said staff expects to continue conversations but cannot deliberate or take action during the forum. The council directed staff to follow up with the resident after the meeting.