BROKEN BOW–Although construction may not begin until the spring of 2022, the City of Broken Bow is making plans to improve a quarter mile of road on Memorial Drive.
The Broken Bow City Council met on Tuesday, October 27 to hear from JEO Consulting Group Project Manager Ryan Kavan regarding an agreement for design and bidding of the Memorial Drive Project–about a quarter mile between 5th Avenue and just east of the Jennie M. Melham Memorial Medical Center.
Kavan said the agreement includes a topographic survey, assisting the city with creating a pavement district/legal boundaries, a public hearing, performing final design, and assisting the city with bids for the construction which may include new curbs, gutters, storm sewers, sidewalk on one side of the street, and new pavement.
The agreement would also include detour plans to maintain access to the hospital and other nearby facilities during construction. The agreement was approved with the proposed fee of $85,300 and bids to be accepted in August 2021, according to Kavan.
Property owner Amber Corbin expressed her concerns of the possible financial obligations that could affect herself and other property owners if the council voted to assess property owners. Councilman Dave Schmidt said the council is sensitive to that concern and no decisions have been made regarding assessments. (Click here for the July 14 story.)
The design and bidding agreement with JEO was approved, as was a $5,000 traffic count study to be completed by next summer. Kavan said three traffic cameras will be installed at the time of the study to monitor traffic along Memorial Drive which allows access to the hospital, a nursing home, Melham Park, and the city pool.
An agreement with Mid-States Engineering was also approved for a geotechnical investigation to determine paving thickness, etc. and assist with the design process of the Memorial Drive Project.
Water and Sewer Superintendent Craig Cranwell spoke during the final public hearings for Ordinance 1232 Water Rates and Ordinance 1233 Sewer Rates. Both were approved. (Click here for the October 13 story.)
The City Council also discussed a new Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system on Tuesday night. City Administrator Dan Knoell said the city has received bids from multiple organizations and he has traveled to other communities to compare the computer systems that monitor city water wells, lift stations, electrical boards, etc.
Knoell said the Utility Board has approved the recommendation to go with HOA Solutions and upgrade some equipment and technology which will allow for fewer communication errors. No decisions were made.
The meeting adjourned at 6:27 p.m. and the next City Council meeting will be on Tuesday, November 10 at 6 p.m.
