Anderson City Public Works Board approves $13.89M in water-line contracts, clears easements and reviews Longwood Avenue storm bids

The Anderson City Public Works Board on June 23 approved two construction agreements covering separate phases of a water-main and lead service-line replacement program, totaling $13,891,105, and authorized three easements for water-department projects while taking bids for the Longwood Avenue storm-replacement project under advisement.

A Water Department representative told the board, “You have before you a request to execute a construction agreement with J G Case Construction Inc. for Contract A, water main and lead service line replacement project. The cost of the project is $6,499,177.50. Funding is from the SRF loan grant package.” The board moved, seconded and approved the contract by voice vote.

The same representative presented Contract C with Infrastructure Systems Inc., stating, “The cost of the project $7,391,927.50. Funding is from SRF loan and grant package.” That contract was also approved by voice vote. Combined, the two contracts total $13,891,105.00 and will be funded through the SRF loan/grant package referenced in the presentation.

Earlier in the meeting the City engineer opened the bid submissions for the Longwood Avenue storm replacement project and read multiple offers. The engineer noted, “And these are all over the place,” reflecting the wide variance in bids. Reported totals included Yarberry Companies ($121,000), Watson Excavating ($87,900), Morphy Construction ($297,000), BIS Constructors Incorporated ($398,522), E.L. Brown Construction and Excavation ($342,824), KMA Dirt Works Excavating and Drainage ($123,847.22), and A+ Excavating LLC ($123,709). A board member moved to take the bids under advisement; the motion was seconded and approved.

The board also approved three easements for ongoing water-department updates on city-owned lots at 1815 Indiana Avenue, 2022 West 8th Street and 621 West Cross Street after a clarification that the written letter contained the correct addresses. A board member pointed out a discrepancy between the agenda and the letter; the letter was confirmed correct and the easements were approved by voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Minutes: motion to approve minutes as written — approved by voice vote. - Longwood Avenue storm replacement bids: motion to take bids under advisement — approved by voice vote. - Easements: motion to approve three water-department easements at 1815 Indiana Ave., 2022 W. 8th St., and 621 W. Cross St. — approved by voice vote. - Contract A (J G Case Construction Inc.): $6,499,177.50, funded by SRF loan/grant — approved by voice vote. - Contract C (Infrastructure Systems Inc.): $7,391,927.50, funded by SRF loan/grant — approved by voice vote. - Claims/payment of bills: total $2,138,681.80 — approved by voice vote.

The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn. The board did not record roll-call vote tallies in the transcript excerpts; all recorded votes in the transcript were approved by voice vote with members answering 'aye.'