AP roads will get a lot smoother

It will be a smoother ride for Avon Park commuters when segments of roadways in Avon Park will be repaired in January.

The Avon Park City Council approved $444,000 for micro-surfacing and roadway paving during Monday's city council meeting.

"We should be able to make a big impact ... these are the worst 4.65 miles in the city," Public Works Director Julian Deleon said.

During last month's council meeting, Deleon presented findings on about 30 segments of roadways that are in poor condition and need of immediate repair.

An evaluation showed that segments of roadways equaling 4.65 miles had pot holes, depressions and cracking.

"The poor condition of those roads pose ride-ability issues," Deleon said.

Council approved $300,000 in an infrastructure bond for the project.

"It needs to be done now," Councilwoman Brenda Gray said.

She received calls about C Love Street being a bumpy road for residents going to and from home.

"People are tearing their cars up on that road," she said.

C Love Street was one of the roads identified in a public work's evaluation.

Council also approved funding for micro-surfacing of 2.6 miles. They will use $144,000 that was left over from 2008-2009 budget to fund this project.

This the first time the city will use micro-surfacing to repave roads. Before, one and a half inches of overlays were used. But Deleon said that after three overlays repaving can impact storm water drainage.

"That's when you start seeing roadside flooding ... at that point you have to reconstruct everything and it can be costly," Deleon said.

Both projects are expected to begin in January and take about three weeks to complete.

Council briefs

•The Community Redevelopment Agency approved $12,000 for Children Services Foundation's Art and Music Therapies Initiatives for use of Avon Park's Community Center. They are allowed use of the facility for eight shows. The CRA awarded the funds as an event, covering $1500 per show.

•The CRA approved paying $44,000 toward the rent for a business incubator in downtown Avon Park. Highlands County Economic Development Commision Executive Director Dan Murphy presented the CRA with a business incubation plan that will assist entrepreneurs in starting their own companies.

"We need to try some things we haven't tried before ... we need some business activity in downtown Avon Park," Councilman Joe Wright said.

The board approved paying the first year's rent for use of 203 W. Main St. building.

During the city council meeting council approved:

•The annual Capital Element Improvement Plan.

•Revised retirement plan for firefighters and police.

•Approved the first reading of changes to the ordinance regarding Public Assembly & Places of Worship.