Durham City Council proceeds with Main Street project
Residents reminded to obey burn site rules
Contributing writer
Wendell Wedel, proprietor of Main Street Café, attended the Durham city council meeting Aug. 9 to participate in discussing the upcoming project to replace sidewalk and strengthen the support of the roof on the west side of Main Street, which includes the area in front of his place of business.
Mayor Glennon Crowther reported three bids for the construction project: $13,000 from J-P Construction from McPherson, $10,121 from Power Construction Company and $9,400 from Jantz Construction. He also had talked to Donahue Corporation about supplying the posts and beams to support the roof. They recommended all steel posts instead of tubing. The cost would be $837.20
"The roof needs to be level," Gary Unruh commented. "I don't know whether the sidewalk has any slope. If it does, we may need to build up some of the posts."
In discussing the various bids, Tom Harmon remarked, "Vince [Jantz] is obviously the lowest bid, and I know he'll do a good job."
Asked his opinion, Wedel said, "It needs to be done, and I hope the improved appearance would attract business. But I'll have to figure out what is my first priority." He cited recent increases in his expenses, such as fuel.
"I move we pursue this," said Harmon. "It's long overdue." On a second from Verlin Sommerfeld, the motion carried.
Joyce Medley, city clerk, pointed out that they had not named a contractor. "I move we go with Jantz Construction," said Harmon. Steve Miller seconded the motion, which carried.
They discussed the need to ask Jantz for a further breakdown of costs in order to determine Wedel's share. Harmon moved for the city to pay 75 percent of the cost with property owners paying 25 percent for the portion adjoining their property. On a second from Unruh, the motion passed.
In other business, Crowther mentioned concern about the burn site. "People have gotten real careless about what they bring to the burn site," he said. "The sign spells out what is allowed. I don't know if they can't read."
Harmon opined, "We should put it in the paper that if the site continues to be abused, we will lock the gate." The council concurred.
The mayor had received a letter from Cardie Oil about contracting propane for the winter. The council decided he should discover how much was used last year and contract for a similar amount.
"Jessica Gilbert called to see whether Durham wants to join with other towns in this end of the county in the Scarecrows on Parade this year.," Crowther said. After some discussion, the council decided not to participate.
Sommerfeld, water supervisor reported 525,560 gallons of water pumped in July with a loss of 5.64 percent. The lift pumps ran 40.5 hours.
"John Steele [from the Kansas Rural Water Association] came out and checked the meter, and it was registering only 80 percent of the water pumped. He replaced the meter and makes it easier to test the meter in the future." Since the figure for gallons pumped was partly on the old meter, a truly accurate reading must wait for next month.
The council discussed some repairs needed at the pump house to guard against pipes freezing next winter.
Joyce Medley presented the 2007 budget for the council members to sign.
One of the bills approved for payment was $664.50 for the new meter at the pump house and accessories.
