Council work session discussion covers host of city projects
Demopolis City Councilmen took no action, heard no reports and covered no unfinished or new business during their 10-minute meeting Thursday.
During the work session before the meeting, however, the group got an update on the current paving projects underway throughout the city, ongoing studies of how to alleviate congestion on U.S. Hwy. 80, planned bid opening for the redesigned City Landing and demolition of the old police department and jail building.
Project Manager Mike Baker said paving contractor S.T. Bunn expects to complete the CDBG paving work that began on Tuesday by Monday, if there is no rain delay. The work originally was scheduled to take 60 days, but Bunn has three crews working in the area and will finish the paving in record time.
Baker said with completion of the CDBG project, the company wants to hold a meeting prior to beginning the Phase II paving plans on Thursday.
The mayor said he has been meeting with property owners along Hwy. 80 about solutions to congestion, especially around the eastern access to Walmart. All the owners he has spoken with so far expressed issues, but, he added, they also said, “Thank you so much for involving us in the process.”
Collins added that he will be speaking with the state highway department director on Aug. 11 about the proposed widening of a north-south route from Linden to Tuscaloosa and whether it will follow U.S. Hwy. 43 or 69.
Bids are expected to be opened on Aug. 5 for the redesign and construction of the City Landing, he announced.
The mayor said it is believed a contractor has been found to conduct asbestos abatement in the old city jail. If a contract can be worked out, the asbestos removal will begin once a 10-day notice is sent to ADEM.
During the meeting Councilman Charles Jones Jr. said he has asked the engineering firm of Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood to help him design culverts along Cedar Street. The mayor said a study also needs to be done on drainage along Jackson Street from Main Avenue to the cemetery. Once the designs are complete, the project can be ready for submission when money becomes available.