Alley topic returns to Colfax council

Discussion of alley access resumed at the May 20 Colfax city council session after the topic surfaced at the prior council session. Fire Administrator Tim Tingley reported the city’s fire truck can negotiate the alleys on the west side of Main, although clearance is very tight when a delivery truck is parked along the back of the food pantry building.

Tingley added that, as a rule, fire crews check out the kind of fire response needed on an alarm and try to avoid driving a fire engine into the alley. He added because of the constricted space, driving a fire engine into an alley is not a very good idea.

The fire department has an emergency easement access into alleys.

Public Works Director Matt Hammer added the city maintains a 15-foot access easement for maintenance along the alley.

Tingley pointed out private property plats for Main Street businesses actually extend to the centerline of the river.

Councilman Jim Kackman said that in addition to emergency access, the city is expected to provide unobstructed public access so people can drive through the alleys. Kackman said he expected the private property plats must have been changed when the Army Corps of Engineers constructed the flood control channel in the river.