At the June 2 meeting of the Clarion City Council, the group discussed bids received for the Water System Improvement Project. This project will be replacing over a mile of underground water mains on the south side of town which will help with negative water pressure, dead ends and the undersized water mains. The ISG engineer working with the city on the project was pleased to report that five companies had bid on it. The city elected to award the contract to the low bidder, Reding's Gravel & Excavating out of Algona. Redings’ bid of $1,156,764 was well below the engineer’s estimate of $1,373,000. Public Works Director Jon DeVries added that a CDBG grant will be taking care of $600,000 of that cost.
The council approved a resolution to move forward with the Derelict Building Grant Program to demolish the Duran Building on Central Ave. The city has $42,000 for the project with the ability to go up to $68,000. Another resolution was passed to accept and approve the acquisition of property located at 602 4th St NW. City attorney Zach Chizek noted that the city was awarded the dilapidated property in court. To be demolished, the council must first approve acquiring it.
City Administrator Clint Middleton stated that as of Monday, June 8, city hall will be open, though by appointment only, for needs such as turning water on or off. He also said that they have taken precautions, such as installing a plexiglass barrier and enhanced cleaning and sanitation.
Both Middleton and Chief of Police Steve Terhark thanked Tiffon Willey for her 16 years of service to the Clarion Police Department and Ambulance. She is moving on to a different position elsewhere.
In other council business:
-Bud Young with Sumner’s Insurance gave a summary presentation on the city’s insurance program, noting a few areas where premiums will increase.
– Two ordinances were adopted that will postpone water and sewer rate increases for a year for Clarionites.
-New officer Chris Jones was sworn into the Clarion Police Department (he will be featured in an upcoming story.)
