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Council approves $9.88 million construction contract
The Carbondale City Council approved a $9.88 million contract for construction work during a meeting Tuesday in the City Council Chambers.
The contract is for an upgrade of the Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant. River City Construction, LLC of Benton, made the low bid, which was $182,400 more than the initial project estimate of $9,697,000.
Council members Maggie Flanagan and Sheila Simon were not present at Tuesday's meeting.
John Drake with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly Inc. of Springfield, the project's design engineering consultants, told the council that the expansion of the plant was necessary because of its age -30 years - and because of its service to SIUC.
"The plant is reaching its hydraulic capacity," Drake said.
Drake explained that if the plant reaches this capacity, then it might be placed on restrictive status by the Environmental Protection Agency, which could stop commercial and residential growth in the area.
"It puts it in a position to accept future growth and development over the spread of time," Drake said.
Mayor Brad Cole said that the council previously prepared for the expansion when it approved two of three proposed sewer rate increases. The expansion is anticipated to start in early August and will take about 18 months to complete. This will make the plant viable until 2024.
Drake said the city qualified for a low interest loan from the Illinois EPA totaling about $11.7 million for construction and design cost. The loan will be repaid with help from the previous sewer rate increases.
The council also had several other items that they discussed Tuesday, including the approval of an ordinance authorizing the City Manager Jeff Doherty to enter into an agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for the inclusion of black traffic signal components and black street light poles along Illinois Avenue from Grand Avenue to Mill Street.
The state of Illinois offered to cover much of the costs of this project if it was approved, cutting the city's cost to $15,500 for the $40,000 project.
Cole said that this would allow for continuity in newly constructed areas, bringing a sleeker, more attractive design to the traffic signals and poles.
Other action took place before the meeting Tuesday, as the council, acting as a liquor commission, voted to renew 53 liquor licenses for 2003 to 2004. Council member Chris Wissmann abstained.
One application, from the Horizon Inn & Conference Center at 800 E. Main St., was received, but was asked to be removed from the list of applicants by Cole. Any action will be postponed on its liquor license until a complete public health and safety inspection could be completed. The inspection is to ensure the business is up to code.
Out of 55 applicants that filed for a renewal last year, Club 618 at 2400 W. Main St., was the only establishment that did not reapply this year.
When contacted to determine why he opted not to renew their license, General Manager Jacob Boateng said that they do plan on reapplying and are sending in their forms today.
"We weren't going to reapply at first because we've had incidents over the last two months where the police had to be called," Boateng said.
Boateng then said he found ways, including tighter control at the door, to cut down on any incidents in the future and decided that the club will continue to serve alcoholic beverages.
