Fort Thomas city council members passed two measures on Monday that take advantage of opportunities that could save the city some money on its projects.
Timing was the issue on a street repair opportunity. Maine Avenue in Fort Thomas has had slippage issues for a long time. The city plans a construction project to rebuild the road for next spring. Bids will go out in February.
City Administrator Matt Kremer said he sees an opportunity right now that could save some money on the project. It would allow some of the vital work to shore up the road to happen sooner than planned. Sanitation District No. 1, known locally as SD1, is working on a sewer project that involves digging up the entire road, and they will be repaving when their work is completed.
He presented council with drawing details and an estimate for doing some of the shoring up and support work now while the SD1 work is underway and before the road is repaved. This could save money on the total project cost this spring.
The estimate for the work would be $261,000, he said. Normally, any project for more than $40,000 requires a bidding process. By listing it as an emergency project (due to the quick timing necessary), he could ask council to pass a resolution to amend the budget and approve the sum. Council members agreed and passed the resolution to grant his request.
A G.R.A.N.T. for a grant
Council also passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Eric Haas to sign documents and make application for a state grant that would offset 5% of the city’s share of another, federal grant.
Passed by the state legislature last year, the Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation or G.R.A.N.T. program grant is designed to give some relief to municipalities who enter into matching grants with the federal government.
The city received a federal matching grant of $125,000 from the Land & Water Conservation Fund this summer toward the planned Highland Hills Park Skate Park. The grant is an 80/20 match with the city required to come up with 20% of the project cost. If the city is awarded the state grant as well, that would cover 5% of the city’s cost and the city would only be responsible for 15%.