Alamo Council Accepts Bid for Further Work at Eastside Park

Meeting in a regular session on June 17, the Alamo City Council acted on several items including accepting a bid for ongoing improvements at Eastside Park and passing a resolution to provide annual stipends for the Alamo Volunteer Fire Department’s certified firefighters. The Council also welcomed a new member of the Alamo police force.

The Council accepted a bid of $1,994,381 from Altamaha Building Systems, Inc., which reflected a trimming down of the original proposal of $3,574,174 for work at Eastside Park.

It was back to the drawing board for the Council recently after all bids for a construction project at Eastside Park came in over the $2 million proposed budget. The bids were opened on May 14, and all three bids from area construction firms were substantially over the estimated construction cost.

The projected work includes building an amphitheater, a shelter over the basketball court, concrete work and a football field. City Manager Jeff Floyd said the City revisited the plans for the project to see where adjustments could be made before resubmitting the revised project for new bids. Floyd and City Attorney Perry Avery met with M.E. Sacks, the Hinesville civil engineering firm that is overseeing the park upgrade, to discuss cost-cutting measures, including the possibility of using grass instead of artificial turf for the sports field.

Councilman Dondrea Geter said the work going forward will encompass the basic plans for upgrades but will not be as “elaborate” as originally proposed.

Floyd said an additional project will provide a 6-inch water main for the park at a cost of $39,350. This work will be carried out by Altamaha Building Systems and funded by SPLOST. The work will include irrigation for the park, water for the restroom facilities, and water for the splash pad, which is being relocated to accommodate the new design plans. The Council also approved this expenditure.

The city-owned park, located at 120 East Railroad Avenue, is undergoing major upgrades via a $2.2 million state grant being administered through the Heart of Georgia Regional Commission (HOGARC). Expenses incurred by the City are reimbursable through the grant after receipts are submitted to HOGARC.

Financing for the work is part of a $225 million grant package awarded to 142 qualified projects across the state for improving neighborhood assets like parks, recreational facilities, sidewalks, and healthy food access in communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Specifically, the grant was originally intended to provide sidewalks between the park and nearby Wheeler County School, a shelter over the basketball court, an outdoor amphitheater, a football field with bleachers which is anticipated to become the home of a new Youth league, fencing around the park, and additional parking.

Eastside Park has already benefitted from a previous grant through the state Department of Natural Resources which provided a splash pad, picnic pavilions with grills, parking, and a refurbished basketball court. TIA Work and Sewer Upgrade During its June meeting, the Council adopted resolutions enabling the paving of South Jefferson Street, Magnolia Lane, Pearl Avenue and Towns Avenue. The work is being funded through the Transportation Investment Act.

The Council tabled discussion on a bid on a Towns Avenue engineering project until the July meeting.

Also approved by the Council was a bid of $14,519 from Southeast Environmental to supply parts and labor for an ultraviolet water system upgrade at the sewage treatment plant. Fire and Police Actions

The Council approved a motion to provide stipends of $15 per call and per training session to certified firefighters with the Alamo Volunteer Fire Department. The stipends will be dispersed annually and are retroactive to January 1, 2025.

Fire Chief Brian O’Quinn reported that the department answered seven calls during the month of May and conducted 12 hours of training.

During the meeting, City Attorney Avery administered the oath to new Alamo Police Officer Cameron Carter from Dublin. Alamo Police Sgt. Jamie Ricks reported that the department responded to 51 calls during the month of May.

The next Alamo City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 21, at 6 p.m. at City Hall.