A contract to improve drainage along Hamman Road was approved following lengthy discussion at City Council’s regular meeting Dec. 7.
Engineering Tech Alyssa Dibbern said the city sought bids from 10 contractors for the Hamman Road Drainage Project Phase 1a, but only received two.
After lengthy discussion with area property owners about drainage issues along Hamman Road, council approved the $289,770 bid from Cypress-based T-Gray Utility.
The project is aimed at relieving flooding due to a “sheet flow across the historical drainage route” during heavy rains to Cottonwood Creek that overwhelms stormwater inlets and pipes too small for area flooding, city engineering reports show.
That situation in turn causes a bottleneck effect that floods out the area.
The project will relieve flooding by installing new upsized storm sewer and inlets, with Phase 1a to capture the sheet flow by installing inlets and culvert pipe with the apartment complex next to Chateaux Drive.
An area resident contended the city would save money and correct the drainage problem with a ditch similar to one that existed along Hamman Road in the early 1990s.
City Finance Director Scotty Jones said the city “is highly likely it will be funded” by the America Rescue Plan (ARP).
Council unanimously approved resolutions authorizing publication of notice of intention to issue two certificate of obligation bonds to finance wastewater and drinking water projects in connection with the multi-year Texas Water Development
Board-funded $56 million water and wastewater improvement project.
The certificates of obligation for the wastewater improvement will total $12,707,000 for wastewater treatment plant improvement, trunk sewer rehabilitation and Cottonwood lift station rehabilitation.
The certificates of obligation (CO) for the water system improvements will total $5,645,000 and will fund the AMI water meter replacement project, design and bidding services for the new North Water Plant, initial contractor payments for the construction of that plant - off Texas 60 North near Dunn Heat Exchangers.
The water system COs also will fund initial design phase services for the Northeast Water Plant, along Texas 35 on land Tenaris deeded to the city.
The COs will be the second of four issues for the wastewater project and the second of five issues for the water projects, Jones told council.
Council unanimously awarded the lowest of two bids of $1,477,218 to Port Lavaca-based Lester Contracting Inc. for the Eliot Subdivision Street Reconstruction and Water improvements project.
Public Works Director Barry Calhoun said the number of bidders “wasn’t surprising with all of the work going on.”
The engineer’s estimate for the work was $1.6 million.
Calhoun said that he and Jones were comfortable with the $1.4 million bid.
In other action, Council:
N Tabled action on an ordinance amending Bay City Personnel Guidelines.
Councilman Bradley Westmoreland told Human Resources director Rhonda Clegg that there wasn’t enough information provided to make a decision.
“I would appreciate seeing the entire document,” Westmoreland said.
City Attorney Anne Marie Odefy said the information was on the city’s website.
“It’s a pretty typical of policy,” she noted, adding that Clegg had worked hard on the revisions.
N Tabled were proposed improvements to provide access to a private parking lot at 2236 Ave. G downtown.
The proposed improvements represent a partnership among Bay City Main Street, Bay City Community Development Corporation, the City of Bay City and the property owner, Ryan Leissner.
Main Street Manager Tina Israel said the work converting the existing sidewalk into an entrance from the street and moving planters with brick pavers would cost about $7,500.
Calhoun said there used to be a driveway into the 22-lot parking lot.
“It looks very doable,” Calhoun said of the project.
The parking lot would remain private, Israel said.
The rear of the lot backs up against the Texas Theatre that’s being renovated.
Odefy said the “public would need some language” in the agreement.
Council also discussed issues involved in a public-private project.
N Heard Police Chief Robert Lister’s explanation about the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant of $87,874 to BCPD.
N Appointed council members Jim Folse and Westmoreland to the proposed aquatic center project.
Mayor Robert Nelson also asked Jones to join them on the project.
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