The City of California Board of Aldermen held its final meeting of 2020 on Dec. 7.
In a quick meeting, mayor Norris Gerhart took the time to thank city department supervisors for their work in preparing the city for its holiday celebrations as each of them gave their department reports for the month.
"I want to thank you and your entire crew for the way California looks, and I want to make sure everybody that's involved knows that you're doing a bang-up job," Gerhart said to Electric Supervisor Tyler Dicus at Monday's meeting. "The parade, everything that's been done for the holiday season, you all have done excellent."
In its usual business, the board voted to reject bids the city received for clarifier coatings at the south wastewater treatment facility. Of the 11 companies the bid was sent to, only two bidders submitted. The project was initially budgeted for only $75,000, but both bids were well more than the budgeted amount at costs in the $200,000 range. Wastewater Supervisor Patrick Murphy advised the board that the clarifier coatings had originally been inspected in 2018, with no immediately alarming signs at that time, so it wouldn't hurt to wait and try to go out for bids again at a later date.
In further business for the same department, the board approved an ordinance authorizing an addendum to the contract between the city of California and Environmental Dynamics International Inc. for work on the sluice gate at the wastewater treatment plant.
Murphy also advised the board of an addendum to the ongoing aeration basin project. A pump at the north pump station is in need of a repair costing $18,000, which was not budgeted. The board approved for the work to take place through JCI Industries Inc.
Finally, the board voted to approve extending its contract for biosolids work through the end of the year so the company performing that work for the city isn't violating the terms. Previously, work was to be completed by the middle of this month.
In other business, the board approved an Eagle Scout project that will bring more handicap-accessible picnic tables to Proctor Park. Kyle Freiner will be constructing tables with an opening in their center, rather than extra space at the ends, to help people who use them to feel more included while they're in use. The estimated cost for the project is a little more than $900, which Freiner said he will raise funds to collect.
The board also asked Fire Chief Allen Smith for an estimate on when the city might be able to procure the ladder truck being offered by Columbia's fire department. Smith said it's looking like the truck will be available around February.
In parks and recreation, the board approved reopening the city pool in the spring of 2021. Typically, the pool reopens in January, but attendance is low this year and the school does not need access to it after returning from the holidays, Recreation Supervisor Leslie Scheidt said.
Finally, City Clerk Aimee Hill shared filing dates for the city positions that will be on the ballot in the next election. The opening filing date for mayor and Alderman Ward I, II and III is at 8 a.m. Dec. 15. The final filing deadline is at 5 p.m. Jan. 19.
The City of California Board of Aldermen's next regular meeting will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 4.