WATERLOO -- A little stretch of sidewalk may become the focus of a public policy debate Monday.

Waterloo City Council members are expected to hold a public hearing and vote Monday on whether to vacate about 150 feet of public sidewalk in the 800 block of Bayard Street. Residents responsible for repairing the sidewalk have asked instead for the right to remove it, noting it doesn't connect to the general sidewalk system in the area.

The city's Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission has recommended the sidewalk be vacated. But the City Engineering Department, which has been working on grants and long-term ideas to add sidewalks where needed in residential areas, opposes the removal.

"It seems to us to be counterproductive to get rid of sidewalk when we're trying to fill gaps," said City Engineer Eric Thorson.

Council members are also split over the idea.

"We have these little pockets all over town with people wanting to do this," said Councilman Ron Welper, noting the action could set a precedent for more sidewalk removal. "Where does this take us?"

Councilwoman Carolyn Cole supported the residents' request.

"In my neighborhoods we have some of these sidewalks to nowhere," she said. "It makes no sense. I support Planning and Zoning 100 percent on this."

The city requires new subdivisions and developments to install sidewalks. For a period of time following World War II, the city did not require sidewalks, which left major gaps in the sidewalk system and created areas where the public walkways are highly fragmented.

Other council business includes:

A request from Bob Greenwood to reconsider last week's council rejection of a $25,000 contract extension with Beck Disaster Recovery Inc. of Orlando, Fla., to monitor crews doing flood debris removal. Greenwood was not present when the measure was voted down. The company is currently operating on its initial $25,000 contract.

A request to approve a $1.54 million bid from Vieth Construction Corp. of Cedar Falls for a Riverfront Renaissance trail enhancement project.

The contract, funded with a state enhancement grant, Vision Iowa funds and local solid waste revenue, would build a trail along the east side of the Cedar River from Park Avenue to Sixth Street, where it would tie into the newly construction trail portion. It also includes lighting, benches and other enhancement features.

The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday in the council chambers on the second floor of City Hall. Committee meetings, held before the regular meeting, include: a council work session on flood buyout procedures, 4 p.m.; Public Works, 4:50 p.m.; and Finance, 5 p.m.

Contact Tim Jamison

at (319) 291-1577

or tim.jamison@wcfcourier.com.