What to do with remaining funds was the point of discussion at Tuesday’s Columbus City Council meeting after the council closed the books on one project and awarded the bid for the final phase of another.
Kevin Stafford of engineering firm Neel-Schaffer presented the council with the final payment for the 14th Avenue ditch improvement project, which was funded through a matching grant from the Army Corps of Engineers. Stafford said the project could be wrapped up by the end of the week.
He also informed the council there would be roughly $75,000 in left-over funds that could be diverted to another project or returned to the general fund.
After the council approved the final payment, Mayor Robert Smith proposed the remaining money be spent to offset the cost of replacing a collapsed culvert at College Street and 17th Avenue.
“That would be about $150,000 to replace that culvert, wouldn’t it?” Smith asked Stafford.
“That’s probably a low estimate,” Stafford replied.
The council voted, 4-2, to return the money to the general fund to be used for offsetting the costs of replacing the culvert.
The council also approved a proposal to award a bid for a second round of infrastructure improvements, including paving and sidewalks, which will be funded by a $5 million bond issued last year. That contract was awarded to Weathers Construction, who offered a low bid of $671,367.
When completed, based on the contract awarded Tuesday, at least four of the six wards will still have remaining funds.
Ward 1 will have exceeded its allotment by $38,559, while the final tally for Ward 6 improvements won’t be known until the city rebids the repair/replacement of Deer Run bridge. The council voted to reject the previous bids because of access issues, which could drive the costs up.
The other wards will have remaining balances of $9,454 (Ward 2); $26,504 (Ward 3); $48,191 (Ward 4); and $26,428 (Ward 5).
Again, Smith asked the council to consider using some of the left-over money from each ward for a specific purpose.
“What I would like the council to consider is paying Fifth Street from the Magnolia Bowl to Second Avenue North. It’s in pretty rough shape.”
Ward 1 councilman Gene Taylor balked at that proposal.
“What I want to know is why that wasn’t part of the project in the first place,” Taylor said. “It’s a major thoroughfare leading into downtown.”
“That’s my point,” Smith said. “That’s why I am suggesting that we use some of the left-over money to take care of that. You’ve got $9,000 left over. I’m just asking you if you’re willing to give up some of the money for that.”
“I need every dime of that money,” Mickens said.
“Well, I’m just putting it out there,” Smith said. “Carry on.”
No proposal to use left-over funds to pave the section of Fifth Avenue was made and no vote was taken.
In other business:
The council accepted a letter of resignation from municipal court judge Nicole Clinkscales. Clinkscales is running for District 41 House of Representatives and was required to resign her position according to state law.
The council made appointments to four boards:
■ Howard Stankloff was appointed to fill the unexpired term of John Dickerson, who died Jan. 19, on the Golden Triangle Waste Management Authority board. Stankloff was the only applicant. He will serve until the end of 2016 when the original term ends.
■ Michael Gibson was re-appointed to the Board of Adjustment & Appeals of Development Codes. He was the only applicant.
■ Elizabeth “Liz” Terry was reappointed to the Columbus-Lowndes Convention & Visitors Bureau. She was the only applicant.
■ Vivian Irby was appointed to the Columbus Housing Authority, where she will replace S.B. Platt, whose term expires on July 13. Kegdra Gray also applied for the appointment.
Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
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