Perry council schedules special meeting after $189,000 gap in 25th Street water project funding

The Perry City Council set a special meeting for Thursday at noon after hearing that a contractor's bid for the 25th Street water and sewer extension exceeded the project's estimate by $189,000. City Attorney Bryce told the council that the project was previously bid to extend the line roughly 1,300 linear feet at the developer's request and had been conditionally awarded to Lone Hickory pending confirmation of funding. Bryce said the council had approved the contract conditionally because some funds had not yet been received. The council faces two options laid out by Bryce: amend the contract to deduct $189,000 from the scope or appropriate the additional money now and seek reimbursement later. Bryce said city staff had applied to the affiliated fund for the difference but had not yet received the funds. City official Russ told council members that the money could be taken from the PMA Capital Improvement account if needed. The special meeting will include three related items: the amended or final contract action for the 25th Street work, a request to appoint Willie Sheets as the inspector for the job, and a request from the Cherokee Strip Saddle Club asking the city to assist with removing a failed culvert that provides access to the rodeo arena. Bryce said the club is not asking the city to buy or install the replacement culvert—only to remove the failed structure because the culvert connects to the city's waterways and affects public access ahead of an upcoming event. Councilmembers moved and seconded to call the special meeting; a roll-call vote recorded Coffey, Bledsoe, Marshall, Davis, Colerne, Williams and O'Shea as voting yes. The item will return to the council for final action at the special meeting. The city attorney emphasized timing: the council wants the work to proceed promptly so construction schedules tied to tenant contracts and other obligations are not delayed. Bryce also told the council that, if the city amends the contract now, it could later reverse that amendment and restore the original scope if the refund or additional funding arrives, but only if the other parties agree. The council's special meeting will decide whether to reduce the project scope, appropriate funds in advance, or wait for the affiliated grant reimbursement.