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Newman City awards $777,935.91 contract for Farmer Street Cemetery improvements; archaeological safeguards planned
Summary
Council voted to award Piedmont Paving Inc. a $777,935.91 contract for phase 1 of Farmer Street Cemetery improvements; staff said a GPR survey identified 455 potential burial signatures and that New South and Associates will perform on-site monitoring during ground-disturbing work.
The Newman City Council approved a $777,935.91 contract with Piedmont Paving Inc. for phase 1 of Farmer Street Cemetery improvements after staff outlined the project’s community history and archaeological precautions.
Staff told the council the Farmer Street Cemetery Commission was reinstated in 2020 and the planning has been a deliberate, community-inclusive process. A ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey performed by PaleoWest previously identified 455 potential burial signatures; staff said the design reflects that survey.
Council heard that New South and Associates performed targeted archaeological investigation on three anomalies within the proposed work area, determining that one anomaly was an abandoned water line and two were organic features not showing burial signatures. Staff said New South and Associates will continue as consultant and be on site during any ground-disturbing activities so that any findings are handled appropriately.
A councilmember raised concerns about construction staging and ensuring contractors do not place equipment or temporary facilities in sensitive areas; staff said those general conditions will be enforced during construction.
Councilmember (speaker 5) moved to award the contract to Piedmont Paving Inc. for $777,935.91; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
Next steps: staff will finalize contract documents with Piedmont Paving Inc., coordinate archaeological monitoring during construction, and proceed with the project under the terms of the awarded contract.
