A new Poplar Bluff Police Department is approximately 95% done, officials said Tuesday.
An open house has tentatively been set for Aug. 13, but details have not been finalized, Deputy Chief Michael McClain told city council members. The goal is to begin moving divisions over in stages after that, with the hope to be finished by mid-September.
McLane presented the council with information on a third change order for the project, which included multiple items for a net cost of approximately $55,000.
The project is still within budget, said Matt Winters, city manager.
“All of these things are within the scope of the project,” Winters said.
A fund of $350,000 was set aside for change orders and other needs that might arise during the project, he said.
Council members Jerrica Fox and Lisa Parson indicated they felt the project was doing well if it stayed within that budget.
Council members Robert Smith and Chris Taylor questioned if there would be additional change orders, or if any money could be saved going forward.
“I just want to make it clear I do want our police department to have the best there is, but at some point, we’re going to have to stop,” said Smith, of Ward 5. “This is not what the community wanted and I can’t support it, although I do want them to have the best.”
There are a lot of other projects that also need to be done in the community, Smith said.
“I just want it known that from tonight forward, I’ll not support a whole lot more adding on,” Smith said. “I know it’s still within the budget but if we can save any, we need to do it.”
Fox agreed the city wants to save every dime it can, but also said as long as the project was within budget, she agreed with moving the item to the July 18 voting session.
Parson said three change orders for a project this size are not unexpected.
A fourth change order is expected at the end of the project to tie up loose ends, McClain said, in response to questions from council.
Taylor asked how much of the $350,000 contingency fund was left. The figure was not immediately available during the meeting.
Total costs were estimated to be $12.9 million at the beginning of the project.
The current change order includes some no-cost and reduced-cost items. Among the largest expenses is approximately $16,000 in work needed to mitigate concrete slab moisture.
A savings of $5,000 will be seen from revising a metal panel manufacturer order.
Other changes include flooring to a custodial room, addition of a hosebib in an evidence processing room and revisions to a multi-use room audio visual system.
In other business, the council discussed:
• Donating a used Zodiac boat, trailer and boat motor to the Ripley County EMA from the Poplar Bluff Fire Department. PBFD has replaced the equipment, including the boat, which does not hold air well now, according to officials. Ripley County EMA can make use of the motor and trailer, they said.
• An application for a $5 million grant to replace water lines that date back to 1924 in certain areas of Lester, Pine, College and Second streets. The application is due this month, with awards expected to be announced in the fall. The current lines have significant calcium deposits on the interior and this would allow the city to replace undesired materials, officials said.
• Change order 1 for the Poplar Bluff Infrastructure project.
The council also voted to approve:
• A zoning designation for 301 Highway 53.
• A collective bargaining agreement with the Poplar Bluff Professional Firefighters Local 2543 Union.