City receives updates on sidewalks

The Comanche Public Works Authority (PWA) decided to extend some grace to its sidewalk contractor last Tuesday hoping the contractor may return the favor if needed at some point down the road.

The nearly $992,000 contract for the project was awarded to Schiralli Construction Corp, of Wilson, in February. The project was slated to begin on June 7, but the contractor asked for more time due to the fact the weather conditions in May put the company behind on other projects.

They requested a start time in August. During a discussion at the PWA meeting, members decided to grant the extension because there could arise a time when the company could hold the city to a tight deadline and would not feel obligated to show the city any leniency if it needed.

“If we don’t extend it, it could make for a very difficult worksite,” said Chuck Ralls, city manager. “They may not be lenient with us and if we do the extension, it shows good faith.”

The main concern was that the relocation of utilities along Main Street should also be going on around that time.

“This is why we are not having a July 4th festival downtown this year and just having the fireworks,” Ralls said.

In other PWA business, the members agreed to purchase four new fire hydrants from Pioneer Supply at a total of of just over $8,500 which will be paid for with the water sales tax fund.

They also renewed the annual water purchase contract with Stephens County Rural Water District No, 3 for Meridian Rural Water.

The PWA also entered into an agreement for N-Sentinel Cybersecurity monitoring for $2,460 annually. In the city council portion of the meeting, the council agreed to enter into an agreement with ODOT for the widening of State Highway 53 into town from the west through town to 5th Street.

Ralls said they were still working on easement acquisitions and predicted the work would start around October.

The city accepted a USDA community facilities grant for $28,300 and an encumbrance of $9,500 from the hunting and fishing fund for construction of new restroom facilities at Comanche Lake and Clyde Burk Rodeo Grounds.

“It will be two new facilities,” Ralls said. “We expect to get the funds after July 1.”

The council also approved an agreement with the Stephens County Board of Commissioners for the boarding of inmates on municipal-related charges. The police department will not be able to take Native Americans.

The council also denied a variance to Beth Bazzrea for a tubing fence around her cemetery lots. The council was afraid if they allowed one variance for fencing it would lead to other requests, which could lead to unkempt lots and overgrowth.