Speedway commission approves $70,040 lighting purchase as roundabout project moves forward

The Speedway Redevelopment Commission on June 16 approved ordering lighting materials for the downtown roundabout at a quoted price of $70,040 and heard an update that contract finalization could lead to construction activity in the coming weeks.

Economic Director Kyle Markley told commissioners the roundabout contract is being finished and that "hopefully within the next 2 weeks we will start seeing actual movement at the roundabout." He presented a separate quote from ESL for lighting materials and said the purchase is to lock in current pricing for specified fixtures.

"This was separate from the main contract. So we this is to be able to put those in at the roundabout and get this locked in at this price now," Markley said. He clarified the $70,040 quote covers materials only and does not include labor or installation costs.

Commission discussion confirmed the purchase is intended to avoid future price increases and tariffs. A motion to approve the lighting purchase as presented was made and seconded; the vote recorded was unanimous among the three commissioners present.

Claims and expenses for the preceding period were also approved by consent earlier in the meeting; Economic Director Markley highlighted two items in the claims list related to the roundabout: a REA invoice for $27,000-plus tied to the roundabout project and a B&H Photo charge for sound equipment for Speedway TV. Those items were presented as part of the monthly claims list and approved by the commission.

The commission said it had skipped a couple of agenda items to return them at the next meeting and adjourned at 6:10 p.m.