Published: July 01, 2008 10:39 am      

Council addresses fiscal year closure

Funds to be carried over for projects

Gathering for a special meeting Monday, the Duncan City Council addressed several issues pushed from its regular meeting June 24.

On the agenda was an item to carry fiscal year 2007-08 funds in the amount of $635,000 over to the next year for bridge replacement and emergency generator projects.

“In order to be able to have the funds available, we’d like to carry the funds over to the next fiscal year,” City Manager Clyde Shaw told the council.

Bridge replacement will take $525,000 of the money, while an emergency generator for the wastewater treatment plant carries the remaining $110,000.

The council had rejected all bids for the two projects, after each brought in only one bid. The unanimous approval to allocate the money for 2008-09 will allow new bids to be solicited.

Taking no action on a second item, the council discussed the available options for addressing a water main issue on Howard Street.

Also brought up during its June 24 meeting, it was revealed that a 3/4-inch waterline services the residences in that area. The main’s small circumference has resulted in decreased water pressure for the area.

Because of bidding concerns, the council agreed to take no action and possibly revisit it at an upcoming meeting.

For its last action, the council unanimously voted to approve a renewal contract with the Stephens County Emergency Communications Authority.

Pulled during the June 24 meeting at a request from the Police Department, only minor changes were made to the contract, including wording that stated that the supervisor be a sergeant to the supervisor be a person with a rank no lower than sergeant.

“The Communication Center, after a difficult start, has proven to be an asset,” Shaw said.

Acting as trustees for the Duncan Public Utilities Authority, members met in another special meeting directly following the City Council meeting.

Because of a typographical error on the June 24 agenda, a item requesting approval for adopting the planning and environmental information document for the northwest water tower project was pulled. The agenda had read for the northeast water tower project.

Trustees approved the item with no hesitation.

Members also approved purchasing 1,100 feet of Quadruple cable, which is used for overhead services, according to a memo sent to the trustees from Shaw. The purchase, in the amount of $2,860 from Techline Inc. will replenish Duncan Power stock.

In their final action, members approved carrying over funds from the 2007-08 budget for the purchase of radio-read meters in the amount of $30,140.

“It will cut down on the time it takes to read meters,” Shaw said.

Because of emergency repairs to electric substations, the purchase had been delayed.