In what many hope to be the final steps surrounding its creation, Cadiz City Council Tuesday night unanimously approved a bid from W.W. Buildings of Pembroke totaling $67,800 — awarding them construction rights for the “Put A Roof On It” Farmers’ Market along the left side of Spring Street, in front of the old Cadiz Water Works facility.
A project first brought forth by the Cadiz-Trigg County Leadership Class for 2021-22, roughly $100,000 remains in grant funding — allowing for separate electrical contracting, stone masonry, lighting, heat and other affordable options be added once the main shell is complete.
Architect Duke Gatson, of Madisonville, told the council the project was bid this way for this very reason — in order to better assess what could and could not be part of this starter structure, budget-wise.
He said some bids, even in this matter were “crazy high,” while the next two lowest were BBB Construction at $95,000, and Legacy Metals in at $109,324.
He also believed there was a storage room to be constructed near its rear, using raised concrete to prevent flooding of dry storage.
Furthermore, he confirmed W.W. Buildings would put together an effective asset.
Gatson noted electrical implements weren’t part of the bid because an unnamed source still plans to volunteer some supplies and manpower to the property, hinting at the fact a local and/or regional electrician will bring efforts to the location.
It’s his hope that, once construction is finished, there’s more than enough funding remaining for other small touches: picnic tables, rocking chairs, whatever the leadership class and council want to finish the property the right way.
The only drawback, if it can be called such: Gatson said W.W. Buildings needs 90 days to complete the project, and not 60. Cadiz Mayor Todd King, and other council members, echoed that shouldn’t be a problem.
Once officials with W.W. Buildings get on site, Gatson said they’d be done “in two weeks,” meaning the full 90 days can be spent further filling out the rest of the work orders and bids necessary for the remaining tasks.
Gatson said W.W. Buildings wanted this job the first time around, when it was originally to be located between the Renaissance Stage and the Cadiz Baptist Annex.
Ninety days from June 7, including weekends, is September 6 — five weeks prior to the 2023 Trigg County Country Ham Festival. Its completion before the annual celebration could be a boon for the community.
In other city council news:
— Debbie Fuller, of Calhoun & Company, delivered good news to the council Tuesday, confirming the 2021-22 fiscal year audit was “good, and clean” for the city. All materials were clearly and cleanly stated, and there were no concerns with personnel or management in retrieving and discussing materials.
However, three minor infractions were found regarding internal controls:
*Approved pay rates must be documented in personnel files. She said of 40 files tested, four didn’t have a record of a pay rate.
*Payroll time sheets must be approved by proper signature, via time sheets and paychecks. She said of 40 times sheets, three were not properly handled.
*All checks must have two checks from city officials. Of 82 different checks, 12 of them didn’t have a signature at all, yet cleared the bank. Five checks had only one signature. Fuller noted all of these checks were legitimate city purchases and proper uses of funds, but simply didn’t have correct authorization.
In a mild revenue breakdown, nearly $6.5 million was generated last year through taxes, penalties, water & sewer payments, capital grants, licensing and city permits. Expenses hovered around $5.5 million, with 45% of that comprising salary, wages, retirement and fringe benefits for employees.
— Public Works Director Craig Oakley confirmed to the council that “now was the time” for the body to pursue the beginning bid process for the walking trail and five-way stop sewer line improvement on Lafayette Street, behind the school district. With separate installments from the state/federal “Clean Water” grants totaling $588,000, Oakley said any bids could be opened 15 days from Tuesday, with July a probable target for construction. Its posting was unanimously approved.
— Eric White, of Atmos Energy, confirmed that revamping of gas lines in the city limits will continue this summer, involving 148 customers and more than 13,000 feet of line on West End Street, Lincoln Avenue, Cunningham Avenue and Anna Street. It will start in a few weeks, potentially be done by October 1, and will be handled by two contract companies with “short-term” interruption necessary to change over inputs. Old plastic lines are being replaced with tracer wire units, allowing for better digging and more accurate “811” calls.
— And, finally, Brianna Hyde introduced herself to the council, having recently taken on the position of Renaissance On Main Director for Cadiz after Janelle Halstead-Nichols.
Hyde mentioned she wants to work on more programming, and did confirm the fact she’s looking forward to maintaining and cleaning the Renaissance Center on Jefferson Street.
Councilwoman Susan Bryant, Susie Hendricks and King did agree its part of the job description that could fall off, if needed.
Her first event was “Take Kids Fishing” this past weekend at West Cadiz Park.
