JACKSON APPROVES LOW BIDS FOR TWO STREET PROJECTS

The Jackson Board of Aldermen accepted low bids on two street improvement projects Monday, but tabled action on a third for more study.

The board also accepted the low bid for repair and repainting of the city's 200,000-gallon elevated water tower, and approved requests to operate a haunted house, and conduct Veterans Day and Christmas parades. It also approved a request by the Jackson American Legion to hold Jackson Homecomers in August 1993.

The aldermen accepted the low bid of Fronabarger Concreters Inc. of Jackson for a one-block improvement of West Main, from Hope to High Street. Fronabarger's bid of $48,362.80 was below the engineer's estimate of $50,000. The contractor indicated he could start work within two to three days.

Fronabarger was also low bidder on a one-block improvement on White Oak, which was requested by the property owners. The low bid of $28,388.55 was well below the engineer's estimate of $33,598.

The aldermen tabled action on bids for the Greensferry Road improvement project until additional study can be made. The project would increase the sight distance on Greensferry, near the intersection of Clark Street, by cutting down the grade of a hill on Greensferry, west of the intersection.

The motion to table came after Rich Bowen, acting city engineer, questioned the low bid of R&R Concrete Finishing Co. R&R's bid of $65,712 was considerably below the engineer's estimate of $95,000.

After reviewing the R&R bid, and four other bids submitted on the Greensferry Road project, Bowen told the board, "I've got a serious problem with that (R&R) bid."

Bowen explained R&R's estimate for rock removal on the project was $9 per yard, compared to the engineer's estimate of $50 per yard. He noted the second lowest bidder estimated the cost of rock removal at around $50 per yard.

The board voted 8-0 to table action on the project until the engineer can discuss his concerns with R&R.

The board approved the low bid of $40,925 by Pittsburg Tank & Tower Co. Inc. of Henderson, Ky., to repair and repaint the 200,000-gallon, elevated water tower at the power plant. There were six bids submitted.

On a tie vote, broken by the mayor, the aldermen voted 5-4 to offer a final pavement of $33,645 to SLS Inc. of Creal Springs, Ill., as a final pavement on the West Main Street paving project. The payment is subject to receipt of the lien waivers and material certification, and replacement of joint crack sealant that has leaked out of a portion of the new pavement. The contractor is asking for $69,000.

Mayor Carlton Meyer said he voted for the motion just to get action started. "I don't think they'll accept the proposal," he added. Alderman Paul Sander said he voted against the motion because he did not believe SLS deserved even $33,645 as a final payment.

The aldermen voted to send a final draft map of the city's long-range street development plan to the planning and zoning commission, which will schedule a public hearing before acting on the proposed plan.

The board approved the dates of Oct. 16-17, 22-24, and 28-31 for the Jaycee Halloween Haunted House; approved a request from the Jaycees for a Christmas parade on Dec. 5, and authorized a Veterans Day parade on Nov. 11.

The aldermen also approved a request by the Jackson American Legion to hold Jackson Homecomers in August 1993. The exact dates have not been set.

City Administrator Carl Talley announced the 1992 Fall Clean-Up, Fix-Up Week will be held Oct. 5-9.