Wednesday, November 13, 2002
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Wednesday, November 13, 2002 |
Safety renovations for Neely fire station in PTC put on holdBy JOHN
MUNFORD
Despite recommendations from city staff to proceed, the Peachtree City Council has delayed approval of a bid for safety renovations to the Neely fire station. The project, which has been cut back to the bare necessities according to Fire Chief Stony Lohr, would cost $295,125 to renovate the duty quarters "to provide a safe and functional living space" for firefighters. At Thursday's council meeting, Councilman Steve Rapson said he favored waiting two weeks to have staff compile a list of other "big ticket" items that are also currently unfunded, such as the utility relocation for the widening of Ga. Highway 54 and the construction of TDK Boulevard a road that would connect the south end of the city with Coweta County. "I want it all in front of me so I can prioritize it," Rapson said. Councilwoman Annie McMenamin disagreed, saying the project had already been cut. City Engineer Troy Besseche noted the improvements to the Neely station have been put off for several years. But Councilman Dan Tennant complained the city should rebid the project since only one of two bidding companies was determined to have bid the project correctly. Councilman Murray Weed said city officials followed the proper process, however. Finance Director Paul Salvatore cautioned that it would take longer to seek brand new bids, and that New South Construction Company Inc., which had the only qualifying bid, might not decide to bid again for the project. The lack of interest from construction companies could have been due to the renovations being a design/build project, Salvatore said. More companies might bid if the city hired a separate engineering firm to do the work, he added. McMenamin's motion to approve the bid from New South Construction failed 3-2, with Weed, Tennant and Rapson voting against.
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