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Osage
City Council
Bidding process, contract negotiations
to begin for trail construction
DeAun Michael | Reporter
OSAGE CITY—The Rails to Trails project in Osage City is back
on track with actions taken by the Osage City Council at its regular
meeting Feb. 10.
Osage City Manager Nick Hernandez presented the council with updated
estimates for the project after receiving additional information
from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) that the project
could not be completed in phases.
Information presented last week included a base project that includes
construction of a crushed limestone trail from 17th to 13th streets
and a concrete trail from 13th to Ninth streets.
Also presented were multiple alternate bids that could be added
to the trail, including construction material (limestone versus
concrete), lighting and landscaping. Alternate bids for extensions
of the trail were also presented, including extending the trail
down Holliday to Fifth Street, then south to the school and from
Holliday north on Fifth Street to the railroad line then to the
west edge of the city.
The council approved a motion for Hernandez to request bids on the
base project as outlined. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-1
with council member Edwin Mueller voting no and council member Jason
Croucher absent. The council also approved a motion with the same
6-1 vote to allow Hernandez to begin lease negotiations with the
Rails to Trails Conservancy.
At this time, the city has 20 percent of the project funds set aside.
Hernandez said KDOT had informed him the project had been forwarded
to be included as part of the potential federal economic stimulus
package, which might further reduce the city’s financial responsibility.
Hernandez said the base bid project will give residents in the northeast
area of town a safe walking and biking route into the city while
avoiding the highway.
“We need to start the process,” Hernandez said. “We
will start work to get the lease signed by the Rails to Trails Conservancy
group and then begin the bid process.”
In other discussion, Osage City Police Chief Fred Nech presented
his research regarding benefits of adding a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid
to the police department’s vehicle fleet. The proposal would
also eliminate two patrol cars from the fleet.
Nech said the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid will significantly reduce
the city’s fuel use and costs. The Escape is rated at 34 miles
per gallon in the city as opposed to the department’s current
average of 13 miles per gallon. He also said many cities he researched
and contacted have or are considering changing their entire fleets
to the Escape Hybrid. In addition to the economic savings, the Escape
offers the benefits of being environmentally friendly.
“We have looked at this as part of a way to improve the department
and save the taxpayers money,” Nech said.
The council unanimously approved the purchase of a 2009 Ford Escape
Hybrid for $29,063 from Long-Macarthur Ford, in Salina, which was
the only location able to offer a bid on this particular model out
of over 50 bids requests that were sent out. The funds will come
from the 2009 police department budget for patrol car replacement.
Also approved was the purchase of a 2009 Ford F-250 truck from Ottawa
Ford for use by the utility departments. Seven bids for the truck
were received and the lowest bid was accepted. The purchase will
be funded from the 2009 sewer department budget and will replace
a 1988 GMC truck.
In other business, the council:
• heard details of the 2007 audit report including recommendations
for improvements from Jack Eldridge, of Anderson and Eldridge, P.A.
• approved the Osage City- Osage County connecting links maintenance
agreement. This is an agreement for the county’s maintenance
of a portion of California Street to the county road.
• approved a resolution for the official financial institutions
for the city to be Landmark Bank, First State Bank and Bank of Osage
City.
• designated The Osage County Herald-Chronicle as the official
city newspaper. |
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