Grants and Bids

By PJ Martin

Editor

The Herald-News

 

On Monday, April 8^th the Edmonton City Council met for the April meeting. Held prior to the council meeting was a public meeting for discussion of the proposed Edmonton Memorial Park Improvement Project and the Mosby Ridge Bridge and Walking Trail. The proposed grant funds center on improvement to the current park bleachers, a new asphalt trail that will connect to the current trail, plus another restroom facility.

Haley Penrod was present to collect the completed public comment forms and no disagreeable comments were received concerning the application for the Land and Water Conservation Grant and the Recreational Trails Grant.

Immediately before the council meeting, a public hearing was held to obtain oral and written comments from the public concerning the use of Municipal Road Aid Program funds and Local Government Economic Assistance Funds (LGEA). No public comments were submitted.

The council meeting was considered a special called meeting due to being on a different day than normal. It was also noted by Mayor Doug Smith that no item could be discussed that was not listed on the agenda. All members were in attendance except council member Tommy England who was initially present, but had to leave due to sickness.

The second Reading of Ordinance #2023-24-04 Repealing Ordinance #2005-04 The City of Edmonton Personnel Policies was approved. A copy of the ordinance is printed in this newspaper.

Resolution 2023-24-05 – Land and Water Conservation Grant for the Edmonton Memorial Park is a 50/50 grant application for the project estimated amount of $395,539.50. The grant, if received, will pave the parking lots, the roadway, and the walking trail, and do the concrete bleacher pads. The council agreed for Mayor Smith to apply.

Resolution 2023-24-06 – Recreation Trails Grant for the Edmonton Memorial Park is an 80/20 grant application for the project estimated at $318,570. This grant, if received, will be used to create the new walking trail which connects to the old trail and the new bathroom. The council agreed for Mayor Smith to apply.

 

Department Reports

Public Works Superintendent Moe Hensley gave the gas and water activity report for March which was followed by the opening of bids received for the purchase of one stationary 60kW natural-gas-powered generator and two trailer mounted 65kW diesel-powered generators. A grant was received for the purchase of the generators.

Bids were received from Nixon Power Services with a total for all three Kohler brand generators of $167,022 and Cummins with a total for all three Cummins brand generators of $185,700.

It was agreed that the city’s engineer should look at the specifications from both bids and give their advice on which best fits the water/gas dept. needs.

Chief David Robertson presented the March activity report for the city police department as 8 arrests, 5 non-injury accidents, 6 alarms, 4 animal complaints, 1 domestic call, 7 new investigations opened, 2 motorist assists, 6 medical calls, 2 drug complaints, 47 traffic stops, 3 trash complaints, 2 warrants served, 2 funeral escorts, 58 complaints answered, and 14 citations written.

Robertson also announced that at the end of April Assistant Police Chief Michael Hampton is retiring after 22 years on the police force.

ABC Administrator Fred Ray stated that everyone was in compliance and there were no problems.

Parks and Recreation Manager Brian Garrett stated that the playgrounds had been mulched and two tournaments had been held at the Edmonton Memorial Park. Tennis and track season has begun also.

City Fire Chief Jerry Clemmons gave the March fire run report of 4 medical runs, 2 fire runs (1 brush fire and 1 grease fire) for a total of 6 runs.

 

Other Business

The Edmonton Metcalfe Chamber of Commerce requested the closure of East Stockton Street on Saturday, June 1^st for Summerfest and October 5^th for the Pumpkin Festival which was approved.

The Chamber also asked that the city submit a request to KYTC for the closure of Hamilton Street on June 1^st for Summerfest and October 5^th for the Pumpkin Festival. The council approved the submission of the request to KYTC.