Bids submitted for Redkey clean-up (3/4/05)

REDKEY — Town council members here opened five bids this morning for clean-up work and removal of tree branches and other debris dating back to January’s ice storm.

No decisions were made, pending review of the bids by town attorney John Brooke who was not available to attend the 8:30 a.m. meeting at town hall.

Bids included $48,400 from Young Builders of Redkey; $54,700 from Upp’s Stump Removal of Portland; $11,590 from R. D.’s Tree and Landscaping of Portland; E & T Tree Service of Dunkirk, quoting a rate of $100 per hour for manpower plus extra expenses relating to the use of equipment; and Rick Newsome’s Tree Service, Dunkirk, quoting a rate of $75 per hour.

However, immediately after the bids were opened, a representative from R. D.’s Tree and Landscaping told council members that his company had not realized the scope of the project when its bid was prepared. He asked for permission to inspect the Redkey wastewater treatment plant area where debris was already collected, and then submit a revised quote, including the clean-up of that area in his bid.

Redkey council president Violet Erlenbush said she would turn all the bid documents over to Brooke for his review and a recommendation. She said a decision on awarding a contract for the work would be made at the next council meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 21 or a special meeting which might be called before then.

Redkey clerk-treasurer Brenda Adkins said that Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives advised the town to take bids on this work, saying that FEMA would potentially cover 75 percent of those costs.

Town council member James Guffey questioned the advisability of accepting one of the hourly rate quotes, as there were no limits as to how much the total contract price might eventually be, under that sort of arrangement. “With a total figure by the hour, you could end up with anything,” Guffey said.

In other business at the Friday morning meeting, town council members:

•Heard a report from Terri Taylor and Mike Daniels about plans for a carnival and street fair on June 23-25 sponsored by the Redkey Lions Club and Redkey Fun for Kidz organization.

Taylor said a community planning meeting for this event was scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 13 at the Redkey American Legion Post.

She said that Williams Kiddieland of Hamlet, Ind. will be providing 11 carnival rides for children. Also there will be a flea market area and a parade on Saturday, June 25.

Taylor asked if the council would make a contribution toward the cost of entertainment, and council members voted to donate $500. Council member Dixie Toy abstained from voting because she is a member of the Fun for Kidz Committee.

•Agreed to send Erlenbush to a training session concerning water and wastewater treatment department management sponsored by the Indiana Rural Water Alliance on March 21-23. Registration fee for all three days will be $75.

•Approved an increase from $150 per month to $300 per month in pay for Michelle St. John, superintendent of the Albany Water Department for serving as Redkey’s certified water plant operator and visiting Redkey on a Monday through Friday basis to check over operations at the water plant.

Erlenbush explained that Indiana Department of Environmental Management officials had mandated that the town increase St. John’s duties in connection with the Redkey operation.

•Approved the payment of claims for the last month.[[In-content Ad]]