The Board of Public Works heard updates on the Tinsman Avenue Sewer Project and the water main replacement project and approved bids for tree trimming and the South Payne Lift Station Tuesday night at city hall.
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
The Board of Public Works heard updates on the Tinsman Avenue Sewer Project and the water main replacement project and approved bids for tree trimming and the South Payne Lift Station Tuesday night at city hall.
City Administrator Kerry Sampson announced that the city has received a notice of violation from the Department of Natural Resources for the area of the Tinsman Sewer Project. Sampson stated that the violation is based on complaints received by DNR from residents concerning the ditch which runs from the railroad to Normal Street, but the violation did not result in a fine. The city is in the process of securing funding needed for the Tinsman Sewer Project. Sampson stated that once the funding is received, the city hopes to speed up the process. He also stated that until work begins, the city will be monitoring the area more frequently.
The board approved a tree trimming bid from Wombwell Equipment Service for the 69KV line at a maximum cost of $12,000. The board also approved a bid for general tree trimming by Russell Smith Tree Service at a cost of $85 per hour, the lowest of three bids. The city has $21,000 budgeted for tree trimming with $12,000 approved for the KV line. The remaining funds will cover general trimming throughout the city. The trimming is scheduled for October and residents will be given the option of taking care of it themselves within 30 days, otherwise, the city will provide the service. Sampson stated that the city will address the contractors regarding the method used for trimming, the shape and overall appearance and health of the tree prior to the tree trimmings due to concerns from residents.
The board approved the only bid received for replacement of the South Payne Lift Station, located east of Town and Country Lane. White Cloud Engineering of Maryville submitted a bid of $30,555, which includes $28,628 for the lift station replacement, $1,427 for the connection to the existing force main, and $500 for the performance and payment bond. The previous estimates of $35,000 to $40,000 had included replacement of the force main, which has been determined to be in good condition and will not need to be replaced. Since the project is a replacement of existing systems, a construction permit is not required, therefore the proposed design fee will not be required. The board formally approved the bid from White Cloud Engineering for $30,555 for the replacement of the South Payne Lift Station. The board had previously budgeted $35,000 for replacement of the station.
TMU Director Chad Davis reported that the water main replacement project is progressing well. Work on the 10-inch main on Oklahoma Avenue should be completed within the next three to four weeks, which will provide better service for residents in that area and allow for future expansion in the Industrial Park. The city has also decided to swap areas budgeted for this year, moving the work at 13th and Kitty streets to this year’s schedule due to additional problems in that area.
Davis also reported that there was a sewer backup at Lake Trenton Drive on Friday, Aug. 16. He stated that the city is working with their insurance carrier and the property owner in order to get the situation resolved and cleaned up as soon as possible. He stated that workers found debris in the line which included a three- to four-inch plastic container. Workers were unable to determine if the container was the beginning or the end of the blockage. Board members suggested looking into securing the sewer access openings so that nothing could be dropped into the lines. At present, the lines are susceptible to tampering and vandalism and members questioned whether an inexpensive additional covering for the access holes might be an option to defer future blockages.
The next Board of Public Works meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 24.