Athens City Council approves emergency sewer repair, multiple engineering contracts, façade grants and staffing changes

The Athens City Council on Jan. 13, 2025 approved an emergency repair to a damaged sewer force main, authorized engineering work on Mooresville Road and a pedestrian boardwalk, ratified two downtown façade grants and approved an executive search contract and several personnel classification changes.

The council approved an unbudgeted emergency contract with Cleary Construction for $50,765.35 to repair the damaged Lower Swan Creek 18-inch sewer force main, funded from the water services department operating revenues. The council voted 4-0 to approve the contract after suspending the rules for immediate action.

The action follows public discussion of several infrastructure projects the council is advancing. The council authorized Gonzales Stratton & Associates to design infrastructure improvements at Mooresville Road and U.S. 72, not to exceed $58,400, funded from the capital infrastructure fund, and approved a separate engineering design agreement with Moore Morrell Engineering for a boardwalk tied to the proposed pedestrian bridge on U.S. 31, not to exceed $15,000. Both contracts were approved by unanimous recorded votes after suspension of the rules to expedite consideration.

Council members also approved the mayor’s request to contract with Mercer Group Associates to conduct an executive search for the city’s public works director position. The contract is a base fee of $18,000 plus direct expenses not to exceed $5,500; the council approved the contract 4-0 after discussion about the merits of an outside search firm. Council members noted there were four internal…