On Tuesday, Paducah city commissioners introduced an ordinance for a change order with Youngblood Excavating & Contracting regarding the current phase of the Noble Park Lake bank stabilization project.
The city's contract with YEC this summer hired them to create a retaining wall to stabilize the erosion on the southern and eastern sides of the Noble Park Lake. It also included earthwork, drainage, seeding and the construction of new sidewalks. Additional concrete was poured around the top of Duck Island to elevate it, and the renovated duck house and windmill were placed back on the island.
The work is substantially complete, and city crews are working to improve some of the sidewalks adjacent to the project area. Seeding and final dressing of the area will occur next spring. More bank stabilization work will likely be discussed during the budget process for the upcoming fiscal year.
City manager Jeff Pederson said, “We are anxious to see the public’s reaction. It’s a great project from a safety point of view and an aesthetic point of view.” Commissioner Allan Rhodes said, “It looks great, because I was there today. I’m sure we’ll have many people say let’s do more.”
The original contract with YEC was in the amount of $192,414, and the change order adds $11,780.09 to the original contract, bringing the contract amount to $204,194.09. Final vote on the ordinance is December 9.
Other highlights:
- Municipal order approved to submit a grant application to the Department of Homeland Security. The city is requesting a $238,420 Assistance to Firefighters Grant that if awarded would be used to purchase 24 self-contained breathing apparatus and a mobile training apparatus. The grant requires a 10 percent match from the city.
- Ordinance approved for the final revised budget ordinance for Fiscal Year 2014 (previous fiscal year). This ordinance reflects all the budget adjustments throughout that fiscal year and any adjustments required by the independent financial auditors. The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report will include the original budget, the revised final budget, and expenditures for that fiscal year.
- Ordinance introduced (vote Dec. 9) to accept the bid from Gall’s Inc. for the purchase of police uniforms and accessories for an amount not to exceed $80,000 per calendar year. This is a two-year contract effective January 1, 2015. Three companies submitted bids.
- City Manager Pederson says progress is being made on the hotel project with the closing of the loan expected in December. The bank loan has been approved; however, the official closing has not occurred yet.
