Aldermen voted at last Tuesday's meeting to accept the streets by a 3-0 vote with Tobben abstaining. The approval ended a lengthy debate on why the city hadn't taken action sooner. The issue was before aldermen several years ago before Tobben was elected when a previous board apparently told him the streets would be accepted contingent on a retention pond being built. However, the agreement was not recorded and the current board failed to take any action on the subject and tabled it at its monthly meetings held in December and January. "I'm glad it's over," Tobben said. "We waited quite a while." The streets accepted include: Northridge Drive, Crestview Drive, Tanglewood Drive and Tiffany Court. The approved ordinance covers only the 40-foot wide streets and does not include sewer or water lines and utility poles. A decision to accept the surrounding infrastructure is expected at a later meeting. Last month, Mayor Dale Verges recommended that aldermen hold off on accepting the streets due to concerns about possible stormwater issues which have been a nuisance for the city for some time. Following last week's meeting, Verges said he didn't have a problem with the streets, but wanted to see the city be consistent should a similar situation arise in the future. Aldermen Jason Kober and Keith Hagedorn and Verges each did a walk-through of the streets last month and found no problems. "Since Leo came in good faith and provided us with more documentation, this meets what policies we have now," Verges said. "Really, there was no reason to not accept the streets." While the paperwork submitted by Tobben and his wife, Roxanne, showed approval by the Department of Natural Resources, a legal description wasn't included. City attorney Chris Graville advised the board last month that a legal description was needed so he could draft an ordinance. Tobben said he understands the board's refusal to delay a decision on the streets and realizes the city needs to implement a plan that another developer can follow more easily. "There really isn't anything in place that says this is the way to do it," Tobben said. "There is no process from point A to point B. It needs to be in an ordinance." While the Tobbens felt the city was obligated to accept the streets due to an earlier arrangement, Graville pointed out the city was not required to take over the streets and the maintenance of them because of a previous board's verbal agreement. Even though the streets hadn't been accepted for a significant time period, Tobben noted city services were still being performed, such as police patrol and snowplowing.