JACKSON OPENS BIDS ON SEWER, WATER PROJECTS

JACKSON -- Bids for the last of the water and sewer improvements promised several years ago to residents in annexed areas along East Jackson Boulevard (Highway 61) were opened during Monday night's meeting of the Jackson Board of Aldermen.

The second phase of the East Jackson sanitary sewer project includes construction of about one and one-half miles of gravity and forced sewer main eastward from near the Milton Nitsch residence to Interstate 55; construction of a sewage lift station near the interstate; construction of lateral sewer lines to serve businesses along Old Orchard Drive north of East Jackson; and several residences and businesses along Stout Road south of East Jackson.

The gravity sewer lines will tie into the lift station, which will be situated near I-55.

P&R Developers of Cape Girardeau submitted the low bid of $264,522.05. Its bid was $20,000 lower than one submitted by Loana Contractors of Bismark.

The aldermen accepted the low bid pending a final review and recommendation by the city engineer.

Ten contractors submitted bids on the project that ranged as high as $387,645. The engineer's estimate of the project was $338,859.50

Acting city engineer Rich Bowen said he was surprised by the number of bids received. Bowen said it was an indication that contractors are looking for work to do this winter.

Bid on a companion project, Phase II of the East Jackson Boulevard water-main project, were opened Sept. 2. P&R Developers was also the low bidder on that project with a bid of $85,065.

The water-main project will include laying of about 10,000 feet of 8-inch water main and construction of a booster water pump station. The water main will serve businesses and residents in the newly annexed area along East Jackson Boulevard, from Williams Creek to I-55.

During Monday's meeting, the board approved the lone bid of $69,642 from Engineer Fluid Inc., of Centralia, Ill., for the booster water pump station to increase the water pressure at the east end of the East Jackson Boulevard water main. City Administrator Carl Talley said the pump station will be built in the vicinity of Williams Creek, near Old Cape Road.

Talley said the booster pump station will be used until the city's elevated water tower is constructed near I-55 next year. "After the water tower is built, the booster pump station will be used to fill the water tower," he said.

The board approved a final payment of $8,710 to Fronabarger Concreters for the West Adams and Orchard Drive street improvements. Total cost of construction was $63,330.

Bowen said work has started on the West Main Street improvement project. "I think you can see the progress is evident," he said, noting a section of storm sewer has been laid near the Hubble Creek bridge.

The aldermen denied a request from Lappe Concrete Finishers to close West Main Street at the Hubble Creek bridge for a one-week period to construct concrete slab approaches to the bridge.

Talley told the aldermen, "We told the people we would not close Main Street." He said the contractor was also aware of that before the work started.

In other business, the aldermen approved a recommendation that six street lights be installed in the vicinity of the intersection of Lee Avenue and Jackson Trails.

The board approved an ordinance authorizing the mayor to sign a contract with the Southeast Missouri Boy Scout Council to lease a building at the old IXL Handle factory north of the city power plant.

Mayor Carlton Meyer reported having received complaints about delivery trucks blocking cars in parking spaces along South High Street. Meyer said some irate motorists told him they had been blocked in as long as 20 minutes by parcel delivery and soda and beer delivery trucks.

City Attorney David Beeson said he would look into time limits allowed for delivery trucks. Some aldermen asked why the delivery trucks did not make rear-door deliveries instead of double parking on the streets and blocking traffic.