The Centralia City Council heard a complaint Monday night from one of the cemetery committee members about the increase in grave opening fees at Elmwood Cemetery.
Several council members agreed the issues in the cemetery as well as the increase in fees should be further discussed. Eric Collins said the cemetery committee was not consulted even though the council had been told they were in agreement. Collins brought up his concerns during public comment.
City Manager Scott Randall announced Public Works Director Jeff Schwartz was able to obtain $700,000 in IDOT funding to help pay for the $1.6-million dollar resurfacing and improvements to Gragg Street from Country Club to US 51. Randall said bids would be let this summer. He expects a two year construction schedule.
The council approved hiring Curry and Associates Engineers to prepare plans for the replacement of a water main on North Poplar from Rhodes to East McCord. Curry will be paid no more than $37,000 for the planning work. The project is expected to cost $200,000 to complete.
The council waived bidding on the emergency replacement of a transfer pump at the water treatment plant. Schwartz says the existing pump was recently taken apart and was completely destroyed and rusted away. The new pump will be obtained from Missouri Machinery and Engineering at a cost of $33,689. Schwartz says the pump would also be needed at the new water plant.
The council also waived bids on a used 2015 aerial bucket truck from Commerce Truck and Equipment Sales, LLC in California. The $89,115 price is almost half of what a new truck would cost. The city’s current 1984 truck is no longer mechanically sound and will not pass the mandatory State inspection.
