Bids for repairs to the Black River Coliseum roof have come in at approximately double what insurance inspectors alloted, but city officials feel they need to move forward with the project immediately.
The council discussed and voted Monday to accept the lowest of two bids for the project, at $414,700 from J.R. Kennedy Construction.
City manager Matt Winters said the city is also speaking with the insurance adjuster to see if additional funds can be approved.
“The leaks are significant and with our wind and rain lately, the sooner we can get this started the better,” Winters said of the urgency to move forward with the project.
Insurance adjusters approved approximately $200,000 for the repairs, Winters said, based on an estimate from a company that did not bid for the project.
Bids were received from J.R. Kennedy and also Zoellner Construction at $770,000. Kennedy bid for a project to be completed in 120 calendar days, while Zoellner bid to complete the project in 60 calendar days.
Kennedy staff members had been on site and did a walk-through before putting the bid together, according to Dille Pollard Architecture, which recommended accepting the low bid.
“We have contacted Mr. Kennedy to verify the price of his bid due to the large difference between his bid and the other,” stated project architect Aaron Duncan in a letter to the council. “He plans to do the work using his own company and is comfortable with the number that he has submitted.”
The architects have not received any negative feedback about the company, Duncan added.
Funds from the city’s tourism tax that were not budgeted for this year will be used to help make up the difference while the city negotiates with insurance adjusters, Winters said.
During the city manager’s report, Winters also shared the 700 block of Cynthia Street will be closed to through traffic for the next two weeks as part of a stormwater upgrade grant project. Replacing the culverts under Maud Street will be the next part of that project, he added. The rest of the grant includes ditch improvements on Valley Street.
In other business, the council:
• Recognized the Westwood Baptist Academy boys and girls basketball teams for their accomplishments during the 2022-2023 season.
• Awarded the contract for a drainage and paving project to Robertson Asphalt with a bid of $340,335. One bid was received for the project, according to city council documents. The project will pave gravel streets within the city limits. The base bid is for Abington and Bradley streets, with the following alternates in order: Clyde; East Center; Clare; Marion; and North Riverview. Alternates will be completed as funding allows.
• Approved Rebecca Baker to serve on the Poplar Bluff Arts and Museum Advisory Board.
• Discussed the annual net metering report, which tracks customers of Municipal Utilities which are generating their own power through solar panels or other means. The city currently has 20 customers generating power, said Bill Bach, MU general manager. The estimated generating capacity is 257.8 kilowatts, according to council documents.
• Discussed a proposed power supply agreement between the city and the Southwestern Power Administration. The city has had a power sales agreement with SPA since 1964, Bach shared. The proposed 15-year agreement includes no rate increase and is similar to previous agreements, Bach said. The exception is that an interconnection agreement will be approved through a separate document, he said.