Timpson EDC Approves Sidewalk Repair at JP, Constable New Office Location

October 28, 2020 - (EDC Articles of Incorporation) - The Timpson Economic Development Corporation discussed possible funding of a sidewalk project at the intersection of Austin and Bremond Streets during their meeting held Monday, October 26, 2020. This is in front of the new location of the Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace office.

Debra Smith, EDC board member, explained the original proposal for the project was initially higher in cost than it might actually turn out to be once completed.

"Because of I guess the rushed nature of finding out that we needed to do this, and having a contractor that could come over and look at it, Cox [Contractors Inc.] didn't feel they had time to do a design for the project," said Smith. "So, they gave a very open ended estimate. They said that they would do designs, concrete work, ADA parking, everything not to exceed $49,500."

Smith said the $49,500 just indicates Cox Contractors plan should fall below the municipal bid law amount of $50,000.

"He told us, 'I'm not saying it's going to be $49,500 or even $49,000,' he's just saying that that's all he could furnish with the time frame that he was given," said Smith. "He really isn't willing to spend architectural and design money without knowing he's got the job."

Smith said she and the city secretary, Misty Burgess, contacted Goodwin-Lasiter-Strong who has contracted for the city on many occasions. Goodwin-Lasiter-Strong gave a probable project cost and an upfront cost to design the sidewalk and the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant portions and would provide that to the city and the EDC.

"He would basically be turning that over to us to go out for bids if we want Goodwin-Lasiter-Strong to go out for bids, open the bids with us, do any type of project oversight then it's set in here at an hourly rate," said Smith.

For Goodwin-Lasiter-Strong to design this plan, Smith indicated the cost is $7,950. After that any additional work done by Goodwin-Lasiter-Strong would become an hourly charge.

"It would be somewhere total between $10,000 and $11,000 if they do the whole, 'we'll do the bid packets, we'll oversee, we'll come do the final check and say everything's done right," said Smith. "So, we can minimize our expenses and just go with the $7,950 and then send that out to people like Cox and other contractors and say, 'we want you to bid this design as-is.'"

Smith stated the city has to fix the sidewalk and as mayor she proposed the project to the council that the EDC could fund the project with EDC money. She said Pat Oates, Engineer with Goodwin-Lasiter-Strong, spoke with the owner of Cox Contractors Inc. and they said they feel like they would be around $38,000 if they design and complete the project themselves. Meanwhile, Goodwin-Lasiter-Strong suggested they could get the project completed for $35,000.

"Either way we're going to be spending between $35,000 and $40,000, and it does qualify as an EDC project," said Smith.

Tracy Broadway, EDC board member, asked for the record to show none of the money would be coming from the city and instead would come from the EDC.

"If this was done with city money it would have to be done with general fund city money and general fund city money is probably at its lowest in a long-long time," said Smith. 

"Which is where it was going Tuesday," said Broadway, and Smith confirmed, "yes."

Smith said she spoke with Judge Allison Harbison and if they need to do anything, that's a possibility.

"I would actually just rather utilize that favor in road grading and stuff from my county commissioner if we can get that done," said Smith.

Vernett Richardson, EDC President, asked that the use of funds for the project aren't going to interfere with any other upcoming projects funded by the EDC. Smith said she couldn't see that it would affect any other projects, because the only other projects being looked at are Park Pavilion Projects.

"To be honest, if we do those we're going to probably be looking at either like if we put together a park grant, it would be a 50/50 match. And, if we don't do it with grant proceeds we would be doing it out of EDC funds and we would probably do it like we did McLaughlin we would do a loan and then project a payback," said Smith.

Smith said the one setback with park grants is they require a five year plan, which costs money up front.

Richardson asked what kind of time frame there would be upon approval and Smith said depending on the contractor it could be two to three weeks to get started on the project. Then weather and holidays would be the only likely interference.

The biggest issue in the project Smith suggested would be an old storm drain, which collapsed years ago. Larry Burns, EDC board member, said the drain was filled in with sand 26 years ago.

Mike Thrift, EDC board member, stated he would have to abstain from the vote as he manages the building where the Justice of the Peace office is located. Broadway also abstained as he is the Justice of the Peace.

"I'm okay with going with Cox as long as the city and we have time enough to go ahead and sign off on what needs to be signed off on. And, there won't be any delays and we can go ahead and start and finish it, because we've got the funds to do it," said Richardson.

Smith commented going with Cox would cut three weeks out of the process since the city would not then have to seek bids for the project.

A motion carried by the ERC to approve moving forward with Cox Contractors to repair the sidewalk at the corner of Austin and Bremond Streets for the office of the Justice of the Peace and Constable.

Earlier in the meeting during the financial report Smith indicated there is $218,780.70 in the EDC account.

The EDC got a loan to finance repairs at McLaughlin and Garrison Street and monthly payments on that are made out of the income from sales tax revenue.

The revenue for the year is $78,658.73 plus $1,765 in interest on earnings for a total of $80,423.80.

Expenses of $214,406 in street and sidewalk repairs, $500 on dues, interest expense on the loan at the bank is $5,664, for total expenses of $220,571 in the last fiscal year. 

This year shows a loss of $140,000; however, the bank account doesn't reflect that. $80,000 came in and $220,000 was spent with loan proceeds of $200,000 coming in.

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Agenda items approved during the meeting include:
1. Minutes of the previous meeting.
2. Financial statement for 2019 and 2020.
3. Sidewalk repair at the corner of Austin and Bremond Streets.