Housing, street improvements top Clearwater community needs survey

What priorities should be the focus for Clearwater community leaders?

According to results of a 2020 community needs assessment survey, housing and roadways top the list.

Survey results, compiled by Miller and Associates Consulting Engineers, P.C., of Kearney, were presented Jan. 11 during the village's monthly board of trustees meeting.

Ashley Weesner, from Miller & Associates, told trustees 138 surveys were distributed to addresses within village limits.

Village volunteers made three attempts to collect completed surveys, beginning in Feburary.

"We had a bit of a hangup. Typically we use door-to-door collection," Weesner said.

COVID-19 meant a slowdown in collections, and by August, all surveys were picked up.

Weesner said the results show Clearwater has a 54.11% low-to-moderate income population, which means the village will be eligible to apply for Community Development Block Grant Funds.

Survey results will be valid for four years. The state and Department of Economic Development will review and evaluate the results.

"It will open up the opportunity to apply for future planning projects, public works," Weesner said.

She referenced a question about condition of village streets.

"Ninety percent feel streets are important," she said, adding village leaders may want to consider a plan for road improvements.

To qualify for a CDBG grant, roads identified must be in residential neighborhoods and be frequently traveled.

Trustee Kevin Filsinger agreed that roads are a priority.

"The flood destroyed a lot. I don't think most realize how much it costs to fix streets," he said.

Trustee Steve Stearns asked how to determine how much to spend on street improvements.

Weesner said variables could include drainage, culverts, traffic count and thickness of layers.

"CDBG cannot be used for maintenance. It has to be a long-term repair," Weesner said.

Updated CDBG guidelines will be released in the spring.

Another area residents would like to see improvement in is housing availability.

According to survey results, 77.06% of residents rated availability of rental housing as poor, while 82.24% of residents considered availability of homes for sale as poor.

Of the number of surveys returned, 98.26% of respondents resside in a house, while 8.7% rent their residence.

Respondents were able to include written comments on the survey form.

Fifteen comments relate to street conditions and another 11 comments tackle housing availability.

Other comments focused on lot conditions, local economy, drainage issues and a need for a community center.