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Council approves airport site‑study amendment and a package of infrastructure contracts and purchases
Summary
Council expanded a professional services contract to study alternate sites for a general aviation airport and approved multiple capital contracts, including street resurfacing, HVAC replacement and long‑lead electrical equipment purchases; staff said non‑tax revenues and federal grants will fund several items.
The Oak Ridge City Council amended a professional services agreement and approved multiple capital contracts covering airport planning, street repairs, facility maintenance and electrical equipment.
Council approved an amendment to a contract with Goodwin Mills Cain to expand an airport site‑study scope (including aeronautical forecasting and aerial imagery) and to increase compensation by $99,495, for a new not‑to‑exceed amount of $277,175. City staff said the work is funded by Appalachian Regional Commission and other non‑tax sources and emphasized the need for due diligence before identifying or announcing any potential airport site.
Separately, council awarded pavement contracts to Rogers Group: a school‑zone resurfacing contract (specific streets were provided to Budget & Finance) and a larger citywide milling and resurfacing contract of about $3,068,425. Public Works staff said separate school‑zone work lets the city control timing to complete work during school breaks.
Council also approved a purchase of three high‑voltage circuit breakers from Siemens Energy ($527,667) to address long lead times for electrical equipment, and a contract to refurbish two substation transformers with Southwest Electric ($243,420) to bolster capacity while new transformers are ordered. Facilities staff won approval for a replacement rooftop HVAC unit at the central services complex (Powell Brothers, $108,454) after repairs became repeatedly necessary.
Staff emphasized these are routine capital and maintenance decisions, some timed to avoid service disruptions and to ensure parts are ordered well ahead of delivery lead times. All items passed on recorded voice votes (most unanimous).
