Sirens, patrol vehicle top council agenda
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Two malfunctioning emergency sirens and purchase of a new law enforcement vehicle headed discussion items at the Monday, July 6 regular meeting of the Mount Ayr city council
Sirens
Ringgold County Emergency Management Director Mel Burton reported problems with two emergency sirens.
The siren located behind Casey’s General Store on Cleveland Street had been worked on to produce sound, but the directional horn on top of the siren was not rotating. The horn is currently pointed to the south, resulting in lesser volume to residences and businesses to the north.
A second siren on the west side of town was not functioning at all.
Burton had received one quote for $29,455 to replace the west siren, which is unrepairable due to age.
Ringgold County Economic Director Jodie Geist reported that grant money may be available to offset partial cost to replace the siren.
Burton and city manager Brent Wise said they would further explore replacement options for action at the July 20 council meeting.
RCSO vehicle
Ringgold County sheriff Rob Haley presented the accepted quote to purchase and outfit a new patrol vehicle as outlined in the county-wide law enforcement agreement with the city.
Haley presented the winning quote of $31,891 for a 2020 Dodge Durango from Glendenning Motors in Mount Ayr.
Haley stated another $8,653 would be required to outfit the unit with appropriate technology.
Haley reported he had received a 35-percent USDA matching grant for $16,100 to go toward the purchase, but confusion arose when it could not be explained how the grant amount was determined. A 35-percent match of the $40,544 cost of the outfitted vehicle would total only $14,190.
Further confusion surrounded who was responsible for the balance of the vehicle cost beyond the grant amount.
Haley said he would double-check the grant details as well as the city-county law enforcement agreement and report back to the council.
Water project
The massive project to update the city’s water distribution system is nearing completion as all three contractors on the project presented final change orders along with requests for certificates of substantial completion.
The change orders from the three contractors came as good news for city finances.
The change order from Jordan and Sons was a negative $131,836.69, from Poe Construction a negative $230,396.49, and from Crain Construction a negative $118,067.50. These amounts mean the project came in nearly $480,000 less than estimated, saving the city from having to borrow that amount.
Pay requests from the three contractors totaled just over $170,000.
To cover the pay requests and associated engineering fees, the council approved a $10,000 drawdown from the project’s CDBG grant and another $195,113.77 from the State Revolving Fund.
Other business
In other business, the council:
• approved liquor license renewals for Lucky Lanes bowling alley and El Vaquero restaurant.
• heard an update on progress on the city’s website.
• officially approved wages for lifeguards at the public swimming pool.
