Iola city leaders crossed several big-ticket items off their to-do lists Monday, totaling more than $978,000.
The first was a bid of $145,000 to PAR Electrical, Inc., out of Kansas City, Mo., to install three 69kV power poles.
The PAR bid was the lowest of three for the laminated, cambered wood poles. The Council approved the pole purchase in November. Monday’s action was for installation.
As an aside, the poles arrived Monday prior to the meeting, said Mike Phillips, power plant supervisor.
NEXT up was a $543,500 expenditure to Peaker Services, Inc., out of Brighton, Miss., to upgrade the MED controls for the five city-owned electric generators at the Bassett substation and within the power plant.
There were no competing bids because of Peaker’s proprietary bid, Phillips explained. Peaker was involved with the installation of the most recent upgrades in 2008 and 2009.
Going with another company would likely increase the cost because other components to the controls would need to be replaced as well.
THE THIRD item was a $290,640 bid to Viking Industrial Painting out of Hesston, to rehabilitate the city’s Oak Street water tower.
The tower has been in need of repairs for at least five years, Water Plant Superintendent Toby Ross noted. The project has been considered in years past, but pushed to the back burner when more urgent needs arose.
“It’s going to take a lot more than painting,” Ross said. “It’s in pretty bad shape.”
The Viking bid was the lower of two received, after the city sent out four bid requests.
WHEN IOLA High School students gather for their junior-senior prom April 23, Iola’s PRIDE/Community Involvement Task Force would like to host a celebration of its own.
Dubbed a “pop-up prom,” the committee hopes to host a street dance for all ages on the courthouse square the same evening, from 5 to 10 o’clock.
Council members approved the group’s request to close off a portion of Jackson Avenue west of City Hall for the dance.
The event’s name is subject to change after Council members noted a beer garden would be a part of the festivities.
Councilman Josiah D’Albini said he feared having alcohol at a “prom” event — even one not related to the high school — would send mixed signals.
