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City staff outline watermain re-bid, sidewalk delays, pump station blasting and splash pad repairs
Summary
City Administrator Cynthia Wagner told aldermen the Church and Mill watermain project has been re-bid after the contractor withdrew; Commercial Street sidewalk work is delayed with a mid‑September completion estimate; 144th Street Pump Station blasting is planned; splash pad leaks were identified and partly fixed, and a budget amendment may be needed for parking-lot stabilization.
City Administrator Cynthia Wagner updated the Smithville Board of Aldermen July 15 on several local infrastructure projects and repairs affecting neighborhoods and city operations.
Wagner said the contractor originally awarded the Church and Mill Watermain project notified the City they could not perform the work; staff contacted the next-lowest bidder, who was also unavailable, so the project has been re-issued for bid. Staff anticipates bringing an award of the re-bid to the Aug. 5 Board meeting.
On the Commercial Street sidewalk project Wagner said work has been slow because the contractor is struggling to maintain staff. The City is meeting weekly with the contractor; the estimated completion date is mid‑September. Wagner said the City may pursue liquidated damages if the contractor fails to meet the deadline, and lane closures on Commercial Street are expected in the coming days.
Wagner also reported progress on the 144th Street Pump Station: the wet well stands at about 45 feet deep and crews are preparing to remove roughly 20 feet of rock. Blasting of the rock is planned for Thursday; property owners in the vicinity have been notified.
Regarding the splash pad parking lot, Wagner said staff identified leaks and determined the subgrade soil (mostly black dirt) was not properly compacted. Several loads of base rock were delivered and the Street Division is coordinating with Parks to stabilize the subgrade before asphalt is placed; Wagner said a budget amendment is expected to cover the work. Alderman Ron Russell asked about the leaks; Chuck Soules explained staff fixed a drain‑line leak, installed a French drain to reroute water, shut off a couple of broken irrigation heads, and identified above‑ground valving that will need replacement next year.
Wagner also noted the Citizens Academy application period closed with 10 applicants and staff is planning a kickoff picnic Aug. 11 at 5:30 p.m. She said the new parking lot behind the Senior Center is expected to be completed next week, which will temporarily limit parking at City Hall.
Next steps: staff will present a re-bid award for the watermain project at the Aug. 5 meeting and will return with any required budget amendment related to the splash pad parking-lot stabilization.
