$534,893 low bid on year's street job
Cranford Construction Co. of White Hall is the low bidder for this year's asphalt overlay program to repave major streets, a yearly program that began with Mayor Joe Smith's administration.
The low bid out of two received was $534,893, according to legislation asking the City Council to approve a contract for the work. The council will consider the contract at its meeting Monday. Funds were included in this year's general fund budget.
The work will be on 28 blocks along North Hills Boulevard from Barbara Drive to McCain Boulevard; 17 blocks along Fairway Avenue from North Hills Boulevard to Lakeview Drive; 13 blocks along East 13th Street between Locust Street and 1800 North Hills Boulevard; nine blocks along East Washington Street between Plum Street and Palm Street; nine blocks on Military Road between the MacArthur right of way to Sunset Drive; and the parking lot at Fourth and Poplar streets downtown.
The city is leasing the two blocks of the privately owned parking area at Fourth and Poplar streets for three years to expand free public parking and for paid parking during special events. The agreement stipulates that the city will pay $8,000 annually and pay for any repairs and improvements, which includes filling a large hole in the parking area. The property is owned by Argentco LLC, headed by Harold Tenenbaum.
The City Council approved the lease in March. The mayor told aldermen at that meeting that the city expects revenue from charging for special-event parking will result in a net of about $4,000 over the annual rent paid by the city each of the three years, a total of about $12,000.
The repaving and repair of the parking lot will cost $11,606, according to cost figures provided aldermen last week.
Police try for grant a topic for meeting
A public hearing concerning the Police Department's application for a $41,290 grant and how the funds will be spent will take place at the beginning of the City Council meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall.
The department is to apply for a 2016 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, police Chief Mike Davis said in a letter to Mayor Joe Smith.
The department plans to use the funds, if awarded, to buy one fixed license-plate reader for investigation purposes, five tablets for patrol zone supervisors and 10 Tasers for more officers to carry as a less lethal option for officer safety, Davis' letter said.
Reception sends off37-year employee
City Hall was host Friday to a retirement reception for Linda Marshall, the assistant clerk-treasurer, who began her career with the city 37 years ago.
Marshall started in the clerk's office in 1979 and was appointed assistant clerk and collector in 1989. The duties of clerk and treasurer were combined as of Jan. 1, 2015.
The International Institute of Municipal Clerks awarded Marshall certified municipal clerk status in 2000.
During her career, Marshall worked for four mayors and three city clerks.
Renovations close McCain fire station
Fire Station No. 7, at 2401 McCain Blvd., was scheduled to close Saturday for about two weeks for renovations.
Fire engines from the station will operate out of other stations during the renovation work.
Yearly air show set;$5 entry fee is new
The annual North Little Rock Air Show and Car Show will be 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. June 25 at the municipal airport, 8200 Remount Road.
The air show, to feature additional national acts this year, will be noon until 2 p.m. There will be formation flying and aerobatics. Gates open at 9 a.m.
Admission is $5 per adult and free for children, airport director Clay Rogers said. This is the first year for the show to charge an admission fee. Parking is free. There will be food and beverage vendors on-site.
"The show's growing, and we're bringing in more national air show acts," Rogers said last week. "The last couple of years we were fortunate enough to get enough people to volunteer their time and money and fuel for the air show. But, we're getting more outside and national acts coming in this year, so it's quite a bit more expensive to put it on this year."
More information is available by contacting the airport at (501) 835-5654.
Metro on 06/12/2016