UTILITY COMMITTEE

The Utility Committee Meeting was held on April 25, 2005, at 5:30 p.m. with Chairman Carey presiding. Members present were Mr. Ruane, Mr. Sadusky, Mr. Cregar, and Mr. Snaman. Members of Council present were Mr. Slavin, Mr. Ritter, Mr. Hogan (arrived at 6:12 p.m.), Mr. Salters (arrived at 6:26 p.m.), and Council President Williams (arrived at 5:54 p.m.). Mayor Speed was also present.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Mr. Sadusky moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Snaman and unanimously carried.

Evaluation of Design/Build Proposals - St. Jones River Pedestrian Bridge Replacement

Members were provided information regarding the design/build cost proposals solicited by the Department of Public Works to replace an existing pedestrian bridge which crosses the St. Jones River immediately south of the Silver Lake Dam. The intent of this project is to replace an existing wooden pedestrian bridge with a pre-fabricated metal bridge and associated concrete approaches to facilitate the crossing of the river and to meet all ADA accessibility issues.

The low bid was received from George & Lynch, Inc. in the amount of $135,000. The amount budgeted for this project was $117,000. Staff re-evaluated the need for a new fence in Richardson Park, located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Walker Road and North State Street, and felt that the bridge project should be given a higher funding priority at this time; therefore, staff recommended that $15,000 be transferred from the Richardson Park Fence Replacement Project for the St. Jones River Pedestrian Bridge Replacement. It was noted that the remaining $3,000 in funds would be made up from interest earnings in the grant fund.

Staff recommended awarding the contract for the St. Jones River Pedestrian Bridge Replacement to the low bidder, George & Lynch, Inc., in the amount of $135,000 and that staff be authorized to transfer $15,000 from the Richardson Park Fence Replacement Project to cover the funding shortfall. Due to time constraints, staff requested that this matter be considered during the Council Meeting later this evening for final approval.

Several members relayed concern with delaying the Richardson Park Fence Replacement Project and urged staff to obtain the necessary funding to complete the project.

Mr. Ruane moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation and that this matter be forwarded to Council later this evening for final approval, seconded by Mr. Sadusky and unanimously carried.

Water System Master Plan

Mr. Koenig, Director of Public Works, introduced Mr. Andrew Cooper with Whitman, Requardt and Associates, and gave a Power Point Presentation on the Water System Master Plan (Attachment #1). He noted that this presentation is the second of a series and that the information will be used for the Capital Investments Plan and for budgetary purposes.

Mr. DePrima explained that due to the complexity of the issues involved, although staff has budgeted funds for upgrades, the exact uses will not be known until the completed study is received. He requested that members realize that the Plan addresses issues that will not be considered anytime in the near future.

There was no further action taken.

Mr. Ruane moved to recess into executive session to discuss legal matters, seconded by Mr. Snaman and unanimously carried.

Meeting Recessed at 6:27 P.M. and Reconvened at 7:21 P.M.

Mr. Snaman moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Cregar and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:21 P.M.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Carleton E. Carey, Sr.

                                                                                    Chairman

CEC/jg

S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCommittee-Minutes20054-25-2005 Utility.wpd

Attachments (to Original Minutes and File Copy)

Attachment #1 - Water System Master Plan Presentation