Sidewalks were a hot topic during Monday’s Covington City Council meeting with one area set to get some and the other not having a project completed.
All five council members in attendance — Michael Whatley was absent — voted to approve a $215,320.25 contract bid by DAF Construction to begin installing sidewalks on Carlton Trail.
Carlton Trail resident George Jefferson, Sr. applauded the council for approving something the neighborhood has been wanting for 20 years.
“I’m so delighted the council has decided to help us,” Jefferson said.
The sidewalk is being constructed to provide safe travel for pedestrians coming from Geirger Street to Moore Street.
Councilman Chris Smith added an exclamation for the residents in attendance and a declaration from the council: “Let’s pour the concrete.”
Another project, which the city approved in 2013, required more concrete that needed to be poured. However the council wants to take a look at who should foot the bill.
The Clark Street project, which began in early 2014 to install sidewalks and crosswalks and widen and repave Clark Street from Carroll Street to Turner Lake Road, ran over by 7 percent of the bided out cost, and the construction company was looking for additional funding of $30,000.
The project was originally set to cost the city $102,922 out of 2005 SPLOST funds, with federal funding to cover $292,000 of the total $349,922. However, the Transportation Department is requesting $7,659.70 for graded aggregate base course and $27,616.50 for asphaltic concrete, type 9.5 mm.
Discussion of the project had the council believing the errors were due to incorrect numbers in figuring the quantity of the asphalt needed. Several council members wondered why the company wasn’t responsible for the extra cost.
“Coming from the business world,” Councilman Keith Dalton said. “If it’s a loss, I have to eat it.”
City Attorney Ed Crudup told the council the contract would need to be looked over to see if there was a breach.
Dalton then made a motion to have legal look over the contract, which was seconded by Councilwoman Hawnethia Williams.
