Durham City Council: Reiff to replace part of Main Street sidewalk
Contributing writer
Durham City Council accepted a bid at its Tuesday meeting from Scott Reiff for replacing about 100 feet of sidewalk on the east side of Main Street.
Mayor Glennon Crowther had received four bids for the project. "It is a little like comparing apples and oranges," he said. Reiff's bid did not include removal of the old sidewalk, and some bids were for the whole 100 feet and others for approximately 75 feet. However, after factoring in the additional cost of removal, council concluded Reiff's bid of $2,120 would be the low bid. Crowther thought he probably could remove the old sidewalk with the city tractor.
The mayor said he had talked to two of the property owners on that stretch of sidewalk, and they had agreed to pay 25 percent of the cost. Tom Harmon volunteered to approach the third owner about sharing the cost.
Crowther mentioned the benefit for the fire district Saturday and asked whether the council wished to make a contribution from the city.
After a brief discussion, Harmon moved to donate $250 to the fire district benefit. On a second from Mike Sorenson the motion carried 4-0. Verlin Sommerfeld abstained from voting because of his position as fire chief.
Sommerfeld moved and Gary Unruh seconded to authorize Carla Harmon to sign city checks as treasurer. The motion passed 4-0 with Harmon abstaining.
The mayor mentioned plugged culverts which need to be replaced. "That is the link from the highway to the county road," he said. "I wonder if the county would help with it."
The council discussed the possibility of repositioning the culverts for better drainage. Since there is not much slope, keeping culverts open is difficult. Sorenson asked whether a concrete ditch with a grate over it could be used to allow access for cleaning out debris.
Although there was a consensus the problem should be addressed, no definite decision was made.
Sommerfeld reported as water supervisor that 375,000 gallons of water were pumped last month with a loss of 13.54 percent. The lift pumps ran 37 hours.
"John Steele was out and looked at my records," said Sommerfeld. "He said since we've had under 20 percent loss for two quarters, he won't have to come out again."
The water supervisor also informed the council the emergency plan compiled last month had been accepted by the state, and he gave a copy of the plan to the mayor and each council member.
There was some discussion of the prospective closing of the bank, which has been used as a collection point for utility fees. "One solution would be to have a drop box or say they have to mail it in," said Sommerfeld.
Sommerfeld also pointed out the billing cards will need to be changed, because they say to pay at the bank.
Among bills approved for payment were $27.54 for repair supplies for the community building, $261 for millings for street repair, $80.79 for the water protection fee, and $250 for repair of a water leak.
