Bids totalling $912,200 were awarded Monday by city aldermen for work on a water line extension and a new water tower on the west end.

John Tracy, city administrator, said last week that bids, opened publicly on March 20, were very competitive and reflected a work force seeking infrastructure projects of this scope. Bids for the two separate projects combined also came in within one percent, overall, from pre-bid estimates, according to Jeff Meadows with the city’s engineering firm, C.M Archer Group, PC.

Midstate Pipeline Maintenance of Belle was the low-bidder to specifications for installing a 10-inch water main leading from the west end of town to Landwehr subdivision for $290,200. Thirteen firms submitted bids for the project. Stockman Construction was the second-lowest bid at $299,554.50. The highest bid came in at $524,238.90.

Phoenix Fabricators and Erectors, Inc., of Avon, Ind., submitted the low bid of two received for installing the 300,000 gallon elevated water tower. Phoenix bid the project at $622,000. Caldwell Tanks bid the work at $643,000. The tower will be located behind the Grimco plant and flow water to Landwehr subdivision and the city’s far south side. “Phoenix is one of a handful of tank contractors across the country and they come with good recommendations,” Meadows told the full board. Meadows said his firm check references and confirmed a question from Ward 1 Alderman Brian Epstein that independent testing of the new well once the work is complete is included in the bid award. Other services such as geotechnical surveying, testing paint thickness of finish coating and welds are also included in the award.

The board approved each bid separately on 4-0 votes.

The board also had a lengthy discussion on acquiring a street sweeper. Aldermen tabled the discussion but have requested an engine compression report on a used Elgin sweeper currently in service but scheduled for trade-in by Kirksville later this spring. A representative of Key Equipment attended the meeting to discuss different machines currently available. The city has purchased two machines from the firm previously.

Mayor Jesse Loeb appointed Linda Gast to the city’s Board of Adjustments. On a 3-0 vote, the board also awarded a pest control bid worth up to $1,020 a year to Havener’s Termite and Insect Control, Inc. It was the lone bid and had been tabled from March. Epstein abstained from voting due to a family connection to the firm’s owners.
Miller House Pub and Cafe was approved for a caterer’s license to sell liquor by the drink outdoors during this weekend’s Springfest.

A Public Works Committee meeting is scheduled at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at City Hall. The meeting is open to the public. It is designed as a workshop and informational planning meeting only. No votes are scheduled to be taken during the meeting.