City Council approves bids for equipment, uniforms and projects

The City of California Board of Aldermen, at its regular meeting on Monday, July, 7, considered two requests and approved bids for equipment, uniforms and projects. Bids for one project were rejected.

A request was approved to place "way-finding" banners to assist visitors to locate the various school facilities. California Middle School Principal Matt Abernathy spoke before the council on the matter of the banners, for which the funds have been donated by the Alumni Association. The banners will be purchased and placed on appropriate city owned utility and light poles to direct visitors to the high school and middle school.

No decision was made by the council on a request for the city to vacate a sewer easement and a request for city utilities. The request was made by Curtis Washem and Thomas Medlin, on behalf of New Beginnings Church and the Southern Missouri District of the Assemblies of God, regarding property slated for new facility construction. There is a city sewer easement running through the property, which is just outside the south city limits of California. The major sewer line running through the easement is not currently in use. It ceased being used when the new four-lane Highway 50 was built. City ordinance prevents city utilities from being extended to properties not immediately in contact with the city limits.

The council approved one bid and rejected a second bid relating to work to be done at Proctor Park. The low bid of $29,279 was accepted from National Playground Equipment for 10 pieces of exercise equipment to be placed at three "stations" around the walking trail at the park.

All bids were rejected for the second park project - construction of an ADA compliant restroom. One bid, which fell in the range of budgeted funds, did not fit the bid specifications for an on-site constructed restroom facility. It was therefore rejected. New bids will be sought. The bid specifications this time will be for a pre-fabricated restroom which would be placed on a prepared site.

City employee uniform bids were approved from Cintas. This bid is for uniforms including t-shirts, jeans and winter shirts, plus the special uniforms needed for safety by the electric department employees. Since this contract is for employees to launder their own clothing, the cost is less. The contract calls for a certain amount to be paid weekly for each piece of clothing for each employee. A total amount is probably not possible to calculate prior to the end of a contract year.

The police department uniform contract had to be rebid since the original company accepted is quitting business. The bid of $2,557 from Southern Uniforms was approved for new police department uniforms.

In other action, Jefferson Asphalt received a bid for street overlay in the amount of $384,841.47, and the council approved the purchase of two "six-ton crimpers" used by the city. The crimper bid went to Tallman Equipment for $1,684.47 each.

Several ordinances were approved. One was for annexation of property at the south city limits. Another was for the closing of streets and roadways for the Moniteau County Fair parade.

The next regular monthly meeting of the city council is Monday, Aug. 4.