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Friendsville to seek labor bids to replace about 1,200-foot asbestos water line on Lane Drive
Summary
The Friendsville Utility Board voted June 4 to put labor out to bid for replacing an approximately 1,200-foot asbestos water line between Lane Drive and S. Union Grove Road, contingent on a mayoral review; materials may be purchased from existing rehab funds.
At its June 4 meeting, the Friendsville Utility Board voted to seek bids on labor to replace an approximately 1,200-foot asbestos water line running from Lane Drive to South Union Grove Road, contingent on a review by Mayor Steven Cardwell.
City Administrator Kim Rogers said, "There is a section about 1200 ft long of asbestos line that has been leaking for a long time, and the leak has been found." She told the board there are funds in the current budget for rehabilitation and proposed buying materials now and bidding labor only, noting city employees could perform installation if staff capacity allows. Mayor Cardwell raised concerns about purchasing materials before bidding labor, citing prior problems observed in Blount County; City Attorney Rob Goddard advised the city should be able to request bids on labor only. Vice Mayor Jonathan Newberry moved to put the labor out to bid contingent on the mayor's findings; Commissioner Margaret Maze seconded and the motion passed.
The motion as recorded directs staff to solicit competitive bids for the labor portion of the replacement and leaves the final procurement approach contingent on the mayor's review of potential legal or procedural issues. The board did not set a construction timeline at the meeting and did not identify a contractor; Mayor Cardwell said he would check the specific issues he cited and report back to the board.
