re-open bids for senior center

By AMANDA R. BRADLEY

Staff Writer

Published Aug. 4, 1999

BRUNDIDGE – Brundidge City Council rejected all bids given for the senior center project because the bids did not meet the allowed budget.

All bids were due last Thursday at 2 p.m., with the lowest bid $100,000 over the budgeted amount of $271,000.

Some of the prices included in the building project were $326,000 for the building alone, $20,500 for a paved parking lot with 74 spaces, $15,000 for steel columns and handrails to be placed around the wrap-around porch for safety, $8,600 to brick the building instead of using vinyl siding and $7,800 for additional pavement.

"We want the building to be utilized and used every day by our seniors," said city engineer Britt Thomas.

Thomas then recommended to the council to reject all the bids, re-plan the building and then take bids again.

"The extra $100,000 over the budget will take away from future projects that may need matching funds by the city," said Thomas.

The current broken-down, 15-year-old tractor will soon be "put out to pasture" because the council approved the purchase of a new one from John Deere for $12,900.

The current one would cost the city at least $1,500 in repairs, and the council felt that "did not make sense economically."

The state of Alabama recently bidded out for the same type of tractor and received the bid of $12,900, so Thomas recommended the city do the same.

For the last few months the city has had to hire outside help to handle the right-of-ways and bushogging jobs. These machines were still not able to handle some of the city’s smaller areas.

The council nominated three citizens to fill the position on the Pike County Equalization Board, whose job it is to hear complaints from property owners who disagree with their assessments. Nominees from the Brundidge City Council are Earl Helms, Douglas Botts, and Sylvia Thurman. These names will be submitted to Govenor Don Siegelman through the revenue commissioner, who will then appoint the positions.

Brundidge Chief of Police Moses Davenport reported that, for the month of July, there were five accidents, 14 arrests, six warrants issued, one possession of controlled substance, 15 theft/burglaries, nine reports of criminal mischief, one harassing communication, one criminal trespassing, seven assaults, 17 harassments, three domestic violence cases, 11 dog complaints with two resulting in bites. The BPD also assisted 46 motorists, was dispatched to three fire calls and 24 alarm calls and made 45 traffic stops.

In other business:

With the season of severe weather still upon us, the council discussed the emergency siren situation. The council members see the need for more than one in the area, and gave Thomas permission to "look into" the possibility of the city purchasing one on their own. One is to be provided for by the Pike County Commission, but members feel two would better serve their community.

The intergovernment agreement proposed between the two cities and the county agencies was received by Thomas Tuesday. It will be on the agenda at the next council meeting.

Council approved for Thomas to apply for the T-21 grant they had discussed a few months ago. The deadline for application is August 13, and the council will not meet again until after that date. The grant would allow for any improvements related to transportation, and could possibly allow the council to renovate the old police department.

The new police department is in its final stages of renovations, only lacking the new doors to be delivered and installed, some duct work, lights to be installed and floors to be completed.