Cherry Valley updates: awarded street overlay, FEMA piping, storm siren installation, water treatment update and ballfield backstop purchase

Cherry Valley officials used their February meeting to report progress on several infrastructure projects and to approve a parks-related equipment purchase.

The council said the overlay project (combined with Hickory Ridge) has been awarded and the city is waiting for the highway department’s approval to proceed locally. "The overlay project has been awarded," Mayor Dennis Stevens reported, and he said crews will work in coordination with Hickory Ridge.

On FEMA-funded work for County Road 235, council members said Mike Cesy of McCroy won the bid to install piping; materials were scheduled to be delivered and staged, and the city will ask FEMA to approve changing from the previously authorized riprap to a concrete retaining wall after an engineer suggested the modification and a local contractor provides an estimate.

The city also received a new storm siren that was scheduled for installation the week of Feb. 23 while the parks crew prepared to install netting at the ballfields. Council considered two vendor quotes for backstop netting and accepted the lower bid from Sports Graphics after a motion and second; lead time was estimated at five to seven weeks.

On water infrastructure, the council said the city ordered a hydrant for the north end of town (not yet received) and staff are awaiting authorization to advertise bids for a new water treatment plant.

Council also discussed equipment maintenance and the sale of a seized vehicle that brought $700 (with an expected net of about $630) and whether that revenue should be deposited into the police fund or general fund; statutory direction was referenced but not specified during the meeting.

The council moved on to other business after these updates and adjourned later in the meeting.