'We're almost there': Mora's Maple Avenue reconstruction project nearing completion

Mora's Maple Avenue reconstruction project is nearing completion, according to public utilities general manager Joe Kohlgraf.

"It's getting really close," Kohlgraf said on Friday. "They finished most of the sidewalks last week, and a few little punch list items this week. They're raising irons in the street, and anything that was blacktopped behind the sidewalks and lots, that's all been completed, so we are getting there. We're almost there."

Kohlgraf said Oct. 31 is the tentative date for the final lift of blacktop going on.

"The 31st is kind of the dead-end point here we're hoping for, so we're looking forward to that," he said.

Mora starts search for city administrator

The Mora City Council voted to appoint Kohlgraf as the temporary city administrator at a special meeting on Oct. 14, following the resignation of treasurer Charles Hippen-Koch.

Kohlgraf said he will remain in the role in the interim as the council agreed to move forward with the search for an administrator on Tuesday.

After reaching a separation agreement with previous city administrator Glenn Anderson in June of 2024, Mora moved forward with a three-pronged approach to the position, with Kohlgraf, City Clerk Natasha Segelstrom, and Hippen-Koch sharing administrative duties.

"As we've kind of gone through, there's been a lot of changes over the last year, and it's come to a point that the council and PUC [Public Utilities Commission] realized that we need to go back," Kohlgraf said.

Kohlgraf said returning to one administrator will alleviate stresses on city staff.

"It was a good try, it worked for a while, but we've gone through some headaches with it, and ultimately are to the point now where we need to get back to that structure and hold true to that," he said.

Photo taken on Oct. 7.