MONROE - The City of Monroe still must determine which entity will foot the bill for the removal and replacement of new concrete steps placed on the north side of the downtown Square as part of the streetscape renovation.
Public Works Director Kelly Finkenbinder said Thursday he had tentative figures of the cost of the correction, but had been "instructed not to speak" to the Times by Mayor Ron Marsh.
Marsh was out of town Thursday, according to City Clerk Carol Stamm, but gave department heads instructions before he left Thursday morning that all information had to be released through his office. Marsh did not return calls made by the Times to his office and cell phone Thursday afternoon and evening.
The newspaper wasn't the only one unable to get the tentative cost projection Thursday. Alderman Charles Schuringa told the Times that Finkenbinder wouldn't release the information to him, either. He said he was told to call the mayor's office, which Schuringa said he did, and left a voice message.
"The public should know about (the added costs)," Schuringa said.
Monroe Common Council President Dan Henke said he did not have any information about the costs. Nor did Aldermen Keith Ingwell and Jan Lefevre when they spoke to the Times.
Schuringa said Finkenbinder told him he has "tentative" figures, and projected costs from construction engineer E & N Hughes have not been received. E & N Hughes confirmed Thursday it's still working on the cost analysis.
Lefevre said she did not believe the city has been billed for any of the extra work, yet.
Steps poured in front of Amcore Bank were removed Aug. 4 after Lefevre said she believed they did not meet state standards and aldermen questioned whether they posed a safety hazard. The council's Board of Public Works approved a new design for the north-side stairs later that night.
Henke said the decision on who will pay for the correction will first go through the Board of Public Works, but as of 4 p.m. Thursday no one had called Stamm to have the issue placed on a meeting agenda. City agendas are released on Friday. The board normally meets at 4:30 p.m. the first and third Mondays. The next regular meeting is Aug. 17.
Public Works Director Kelly Finkenbinder said Thursday he had tentative figures of the cost of the correction, but had been "instructed not to speak" to the Times by Mayor Ron Marsh.
Marsh was out of town Thursday, according to City Clerk Carol Stamm, but gave department heads instructions before he left Thursday morning that all information had to be released through his office. Marsh did not return calls made by the Times to his office and cell phone Thursday afternoon and evening.
The newspaper wasn't the only one unable to get the tentative cost projection Thursday. Alderman Charles Schuringa told the Times that Finkenbinder wouldn't release the information to him, either. He said he was told to call the mayor's office, which Schuringa said he did, and left a voice message.
"The public should know about (the added costs)," Schuringa said.
Monroe Common Council President Dan Henke said he did not have any information about the costs. Nor did Aldermen Keith Ingwell and Jan Lefevre when they spoke to the Times.
Schuringa said Finkenbinder told him he has "tentative" figures, and projected costs from construction engineer E & N Hughes have not been received. E & N Hughes confirmed Thursday it's still working on the cost analysis.
Lefevre said she did not believe the city has been billed for any of the extra work, yet.
Steps poured in front of Amcore Bank were removed Aug. 4 after Lefevre said she believed they did not meet state standards and aldermen questioned whether they posed a safety hazard. The council's Board of Public Works approved a new design for the north-side stairs later that night.
Henke said the decision on who will pay for the correction will first go through the Board of Public Works, but as of 4 p.m. Thursday no one had called Stamm to have the issue placed on a meeting agenda. City agendas are released on Friday. The board normally meets at 4:30 p.m. the first and third Mondays. The next regular meeting is Aug. 17.