Mechanics at the city of Fulton's garage work under large ceiling tiles that are spotted with water damage or have been cut out to allow heat to melt snow last winter. The snow was so heavy last winter it compromised part of the roof, which underwent emergency repair.
It's one part of the facility that is trying to stay intact long enough for the new warehouse to be built - a project that is moving along after Tuesday's Fulton City Council meeting.
The council approved a base bid of more than $6.625 million for the project from low bidder Curtiss, Manes and Schulte Inc., an Eldon-based company. Six companies bid the project.
The base bid includes purchasing and erecting six pre-engineered steel framed insulated metal buildings with concrete slab floors and a chain-link fence.
Based on a recommendation from City Administrator Bill Johnson - formed from conversations with councilmembers and city staff - the council also approved four alternate bids for the new warehouse:
•A call out building will be located on the outside of the fenced area and will allow access to a service vehicle without having to unlock and lock up the warehouse facility. This alternate will cost more than $233,000;
•A Garage mezzanine will give second floor storage above offices. The ceiling of those offices will be reinforced with steel to support the weight of storage. This alternate will cost more than $51,000;
•Callaway County soil is a clay-like substance, which expands with moisture and contracts when it dries out, Johnson said. Because of that movement, foundation is susceptible to cracking. In order to prevent this at the warehouse and increase the longevity of the concrete, Johnson said the contractor will need to dig between 12-18 inches and fill the space with rock to build on. This alternate will cost more than $96,000;
•The basement kitchen area will be finished out with cabinets. This alternate will cost more than $5,000.
Hayes said by breaking down 13 alternates for the council, gives the city "flexibility" in how much money it is spending on the project.
The total for a new warehouse - with the base bid and four alternates - comes to more than $7.01 million.
The city, with council's approval, can decide if it would like to add on more of the alternates as it plans the 2016 budget. Johnson added that lifts from the existing garage will be moved to the new facility. New lifts may also be purchased, including one with the capability to raise a garbage truck or firetruck.
The council also gave the OK on additional work to the sewer lining project.
Upgrades to the sewer line were originally going to begin at Second Street near the Subway Restaurant and continue to Missouri Route O, which is going to cost about $500,000. A $478,000 grant from Missouri's clean water fund is covering the majority of the work.
Work is extending to the wastewater treatment facility and including a more than 6,800 long sewer line that lies in Stinson Creek. Insituform Technologies, the company awarded the entire sewer lining project, will line the pipe, clean it and take video before and after work is completed. It comes with a more than $868,000 price tag, which the council approved Tuesday night.
Fulton's wastewater treatment plant takes in about 2 million gallons per day on average, according to Hayes. Heavy rains and melting snow seep into the sewer lines and can increase that number to 8 million gallons. Upgrading the lines are supposed to tighten the entire system and decrease the inflow and infiltration to the plant.
"Hopefully this will put a big dent in the inflow from the sewer plant," Johnson said.
In other news, Hayes reported to the council that the kennels at the new Garrett Animal Shelter located on Industrial Avenue are completed. There is design work being done on the brick design post and the city is looking at purchasing materials for the inside framing, he added.
Hayes also reported that lights are installed on the Seventh Street bridge.
Mayor LeRoy Benton said the city officially transferred ownership of the Rock Barn recently to Shawn Edgar and Chad Warren of Fulton. The council approved their $20,000 bid for the historic building in July. They plan to use the land for a winery and the rock barn as an event space.
Fulton's Chief Financial Officer Kathy Holschlag reported the city is 7.75 percent ahead of where it was last year financially. That figure has been at about 8 percent over the past three months.
Police Chief Steve Myers said the city's drug take-back day is Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Citizens can drive up to the south fire station and drop off prescription pills they are no longer taking - no questions asked - instead of flushing the medicine, which goes into the water system.