The Waterloo City Council learned of plans to build a mountain bike trail and also approved a handful of measures during its first meeting of 2015 on Monday night.

Two men, Edward Foster and Chris Purcell, have started work on what will be a nearly four-mile looping bike trail on 140 acres of land owned by the city as part of its sewer plant located off Country Club Lane near Sherwood Lane.

It is hoped that the trail will be completed sometime this winter at no cost to the city.

“It’s moving forward,” Smith said. “They’re excited about it. I think it’s a great idea.”

Foster is the owner of Sunset Cyclery in St. Louis.

The council on Monday approved a resolution authorizing the appropriation of funds for the Lakeview Drive sidewalk project in the amount of $356,000. City officials are hopeful of a June bid letting for the project, followed by an anticipated August project start.

Aldermen also gave the OK on the re-appointment of William Gardner to the planning commission through September 2017 and the re-appointment of Roger Osterhage to the building and property maintenance board of appeals through November 2017.

Aldermen expressed concern about recent absenteeism by members of the planning commission, as there is a need to get the city’s comprehensive plan moving forward.

“Attendance is of utmost importance,” city zoning administrator Jim Nagel said.

Lastly, Mayor Smith said letters of thanks were sent out to downtown businesses for their efforts in decorating for the holidays.

“Downtown looked really good this year,” he said.