Published: November 10, 2009 12:01 pm      

City Council approves bids for streetscaping project

Monticello — The streetscaping project in the downtown area could begin in the next

couple of weeks, according to Monticello Mayor Kenneth Catron. The council

approved bids for the project during a meeting held on Monday night.

The project, which has received approximately $1.5 million in funding,

will relocate all utilities underground. Several other improvements are

included in the square area, and new sidewalks will be constructed downtown.

The project begins at the square area and proceeds north to about First

Southern National Bank.

This marks the second time the project has been bid. The project had to

be rebid after the contractors who had the low bids were not pre-qualified

for the scope of the project.

Carman and Associates, which designed the project, divided the project

into packages for the rebidding process. Dixon Electric had the winning bid

for the electric work at $455,000.

Hildon, Inc. was awarded the remainder of the work for the project with

a bid of $550,000.

In other action during Monday's meeting, the city entered into a

resolution with the Kentucky Department of Transportation to construct a

concrete barrier wall on South Main Street. The area, which overlooks town

creek, currently has a wire fence.

The state has agreed to provide up to $30,000 in funding for the

concrete wall. Catron noted that the wall will be 36 inches high and will be

300 feet long.

The council approved several resolutions related to a scattered housing

project that could net $1 million in Community Development Block Grant

funding. Kriss Lowry, with Lowry and Associates, said that there are

currently 17 applicants who could participate in the project, which would

rehab or replace residences.

The council authorized the grant application and authorized Catron to

sign and submit any necessary documents for the project. The city will

pledge a $10,000 match for the project, if it is funded.

Lowry said that the funds could be paired with other funding sources to

increase the number of projects that can be completed.

The CDBG application must be submitted by February 1, but she cautioned

that projects like this take time before any money is actually released. If

it is approved, it could be next year before these projects could begin.

During Monday's session, the council reviewed a proposed budget

presented by the Monticello-Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, showing where

increased funding from the city and the county could be spent. The chamber

has requested an additional $20,000 annually from the city, from funds that

were set aside for economic development after the sale of the Monticello

Electric Plant Board.

Paul Dunnington, with the Chamber of Commerce, said the organization

would like to increase its visibility, perhaps moving to a new location.

They have plans to better promote the city and the county, including

redesigning and updating a website.

Councilman Jeffrey Edwards said that he feels the city should provide

more help to the Chamber, but noted that he was reluctant to turn over large

sums of money to an organization where the city had no control over spending

of the funds.

He said he would like to the see the council support specific endeavors,

such as website redesign or increased presence at trade shows. Edwards said

he would like to see the council hold a work session soon to discuss

specific projects that the city might be able to provide funding for.

Catron suggested that a work session be held on Monday, November 23 at 5

p.m. at City Hall.

In other action, the council:

€ Heard the first reading of an ordinance that would make the

intersection of Barnes Drive and Rolling Hills Boulevard a one-way stop and

the intersection of Rolling Hills Boulevard and Hardwood Drive a one-way

stop.

€ Approved a one-time $100 year-end wage adjustment for all city

employees.