A Wright City resident is holding out on granting an easement for a city sidewalk project.Dale Schaper spoke at the April 28 board of aldermen meeting about the project. Schaper suggested a culvert and other additional work were needed at the site.Wright City Mayor David Heiliger said the city didn’t have the money to fund Schaper’s proposed additions, but asked if Schaper would still sign the easement. Schaper declined to say yes or no.City officials are working to obtain easements to build sidewalks near two schools. The city recently learned all property owners along portions of Bell Road and Wildcat Drive must be contacted.New sidewalks are planned on the east side of Bell Road between Westwoods Road and the North Service Road and on the west side of Wildcat Drive between Westwoods Road and the North Service Road.The easements need to be obtained to allow the project to proceed. From the original time line, the construction contract was supposed to have been finalized by July 1.At the board meeting, Schaper said there are water issues that should to addressed. He said water has become a problem and a culvert and curb and gutter would be possible solutions.“I think if we’re going to do this (sidewalk project), we could tie it all in,” Schaper said.Heiliger said he contacted Cochrane Engineering to get some estimates for what Schaper was suggesting. Heiliger said Cochrane said one part of the proposed work would cost $17,015.15 and the other $9,851.“We just don’t have the money to do what you’re asking,” he said.The project is being funded in party by a MoDOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant. Wright City has been awarded a $191,760 grant. The total estimated cost of the sidewalk project is $239,699.The city is responsible for 20 percent of the cost, which amounts to $47,939.Heiliger said because Schaper’s requests are additions and not part of the original cost, the city would have to pay for 100 percent of the work.“That’s why we had to have the grant — we didn’t have the money for the sidewalks in the first place,” he said.Schaper told the board some of the work was supposed to be done when the road was done. Heiliger said he could find no mention of those promises in previous meeting minutes.Heiliger asked Schaper if it would be “a problem” if his proposed work wasn’t done. Heiliger wanted to know if Schaper would still sign the easements.“I’m asking you, if you’ll sign the easements,” Heiliger said.Schaper responded asking about the usage of the sidewalks. He said he didn’t think anyone would use them.Heiliger disagreed. “It’s for the kids,” Heiliger said.“It’s a major travel way for our kids. Any time after school, that place is loaded. Right now they’re walking on the streets and it’s a danger to public safety.”Heiliger again asked Schaper if he would sign the easements.“I didn’t come here to be put on the spot,” Schaper said.Heiliger encouraged Schaper to “go home and think about it.” He said it was a time crunch issue and the easements need to be signed soon.Schaper did not say what he would do.“It’s foolish for us to give up ground,” he said before leaving the meeting.Sidewalk