Council approves Sky Road water project

Council changes meeting time to 5:30 p.m.

SIDNEY -- The Sidney City Council Tuesday night approved moving forward with the Sky Road water project.

The 5-0 vote came with a cost increase of more than $20,000 over the project's estimates. Joe Talich, Sidney's water and sewer superintendent, said the project will be the primary water line for the Sky Manor area.

M.C. Schaff, project engineers, estimated cost of the project at about $175,000. The project is being funded by American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Talich said 12 contractors were contacted, in addition to the project published. Four contractors contacted M.C. Schaff; one submitted a bid. The contractor, Hennings Construction, submitted a bid of $198, 261.50. Accepting the bid would be the total project cost at almost $223,000. 

City Manager David Scott and Talich said the bid overage is a result of parts prices. 

The council also approved changing the city council meeting time to 5:30 p.m. Council members were polled for their opinion on an earlier meeting time, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. or 6. The council settled on a 5:30 p.m. start. Council members said an earlier start time would benefit longer meetings, and staff and council could be home sooner.