Following the advisement of Public Works Director Craig Oakley, Cadiz City Council voted unanimously Monday night to decline a pair of bids received for the planned water/sewer replacement at Lafayette Street’s “five-way” intersection — located just behind the school district.
Needed to handle the new inflow and outflow of community growth in this area, Oakley said the two packets were opened at 10 AM June 29 — and much to everyone’s dismay came in well above a penciled budget.
Oakley stated at a previous meeting that while an expanded price was likely due to inflation, the hope was a palpable 10-to-20% increase due to inflation, which could theoretically be met with either some state or federal grant funding or through a realigned local budget.
Oakley also noted he and his office are currently in pursuit of some realistic answers through the state, behind Pennyrile Area Development District’s Amy Frogue and Kyle Cunningham for potential solutions.
In other city council news:
— Mayor Todd King announced to the panel that, following a conversation with engineer Duke Gatson, the “Put A Roof On It Project” could be expanded in a special way.
Set to be a standalone unit opposite the upcoming farmers’ market pavilion, it means they will be located on the old CeeBee lot.
Extra public bathrooms in the downtown Cadiz area have been long sought by the council for a number of reasons, but especially for things like JunqueFest, downtown antique and boutique shopping, the farmers’ market, and other planned events.
— Though no action was taken, members sought more than half an hour of executive session with an audience of Judge-Executive Stan Humphries, Magistrate Mike Wright, and John Oliphant. This was pursuant to KRS 61.810 (1)(g), which states private discussions can take place between a public agency and a representative of a business entity, in order to mitigate anything regarding a specific proposal, or if any open discussions would jeopardize the location, retention, expansion or upgrading of an existing business.
— Both Josh Adams and Gary Blakeley were reappointed to the Cadiz-Trigg County Planning & Zoning Commission, and both are now set to serve four-year terms expiring June 1, 2027.
