Shawn Miller explained DLZ’s investigation into the Shar Cal bridge replacement.
Project engineers are awaiting one last permit before construction efforts can begin on the new Shar-Cal bridge project in Marshall County.
Fiscal Court commissioners on Tuesday voted to give Judge-Executive Kevin Neal the authority to move forward with advertising for bids to begin construction efforts on the project once a water quality permit has been issued through the Kentucky Division of Water. Shawn Miller, marketing coordinator for the DLZ Corporation – the engineering and architecture firm tapped to design and coordinate building the bridge – told the court final pre-construction work was nearly complete, with the exception of the water quality permit and completion of property easements. The estimated $605,516 project will replace the existing 60-foot structure on Shar-Cal road, which was damaged last July during flooding.
“The only thing standing in the way at this point is waiting for all these agencies to give us the go-ahead,” Miller said. “ … The reason that we haven’t suggested going ahead and advertising now is because we don’t know what’s going to happen with that permit. Normally it doesn’t take quite this long; I’m afraid of how long it will draw out.”
Miller said contractors could not begin work until permits had been obtained, and in the event final permits took an extended period of time, advertising prematurely could put the county in a position to pay contractors for no actual work.
“It’s pushing back later than I had hoped, but I would much rather we get started a little later than for a hiccough like that to cause bigger problems down the road,” Miller said.
Miller said he anticipated no problems obtaining final permits; an increase in the number of projects for the time of year could have created a backlog, causing the delay. Project engineers had initially hoped to begin bidding in May, with a target completion date this fall.
Neal asked commissioners to consider allow him the authority to advertise those bids should permits come in prior to the next scheduled fiscal court meeting. District 3 Commissioner Rick Cocke agreed, introducing the motion upon which commissioners approved on a unanimous vote.
The court also approved a Delta Regional Authority drawdown request for $16,510 to cover Rivercrest Engineering fees associated with rehabilitation work on the lift stations and water treatment plant in the Sanitation District No. 1 in Aurora. DRA committed a 2013 fiscal year partial fund grant in the amount of $300,000 for assistance on the project, which calls for extensive rehabilitation.
According to Purchase Area Development District documents, the scope of work includes replacing lift stations at St. Henry’s Catholic Church, Willow Pond, Brass Lantern, Cherokee Lane and Lakeland Resort in Aurora.
“Project will consist of replacing the existing lift station pumps, guide rail systems, control panel and float switches,” the project description on file states. “The electrical panels, transfer switches and disconnect will be replaced. The wet well will be repaired as needed, epoxy sealed to limit infiltration and have a new concrete top and access hatch installed.”
Wastewater treatment plant upgrades include interior piping and valve replacement in the existing facility; installation of PVC aeration piping and diffusers; upgrading digester compartments; and structural and electrical repairs. The county’s estimated contribution to the project was $250,000, according to grant documentation initially filed.
Commissioners also adopted an ordinance that would prohibit quota retail drink licenses within areas governed by the fiscal court. The state General Assembly recently relaxed its standards on the licenses, which would essentially allow for stand-alone liquor bars, in areas of smaller population size than previously permitted. House Bill 183, which addresses the matter as well as the type of advertising permissable associated with the purchase of alcohol, took effect in the state today. The legislation allows local governments to opt out of those allowances, however.
The legislation does not affect beer and wine establishments.
“This decision is made, in part, due to the lack of comprehensive zoning which would be needed to adequately control location of such establishments,” the ordinance reads.
In other business, the court:
- Tentatively accepted a bid from Compass Minerals America Inc. for road salt at $63.28 per ton, pending an amendment to the order for an amount of 500 tons – of which the county will agree to pay 80 percent of the base bid amount;
- accepted a $166,220 bid from Glen Harris Construction Inc. of Benton to construct a 60×60 metal building at the Marshall County Road Department;
- approved the 2018 fiscal year salary schedule for county employees;
- appointed Jon King to serve on the PVA appeals board;
- approved keeping one employee at the Marshall County Exceptional Center as a county employee until his retirement in October after the disassociation of payroll between the court and MCEC effective July 1;
- approved lease agreements with agencies housed in county-owned facilities, with the condition that applicable utility bills remain in the county’s control, with associated expenses incurred paid from those agencies to the county;
- hired J.D. Draffen as a full-time Road Department employee;
- hired Terry Green to fill a part-time Road Department position;
- hired Chad Tucker to serve as the county’s IT professional; and
- closed out the Veterans Van Fund and transferred reserves of $1,978.91 to the Veteran’s Support Group, which will now oversee program operations.
Marshall County Fiscal Court will meet again at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 18. See the full video from Tuesday’s meeting here.