Brownwood City Council awarded a $2.2 million dollar bid to Ranger Excavating, L.P. for the construction of two cells to be added to the city landfill.  The cells will provide an estimated 17 years of capacity, depending on the flow of waste, according to City Manager Bobby Rountree.

Rountree reported that seven bids were received ranging from $2,204,035 to $4,149,630.  The lowest of these bids was submitted by Ranger Excavating, L.P., who also constructed cell 11 at the landfill.

On September 10, 2013, the council passed an ordinance authorizing the sale of a certificate of obligation for $3,870,000 to construct these cells.  This amount was to cover all costs related to the project including construction, engineering and costs of issuance. According to Rountree, there may be a surplus of $1-1.2 million. The council also authorized Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes to execute a professional services agreement with Enprotec/Hibbs & Todd in the amount of $399,340 for Phase II of landfill cells 12 and 13 which includes bidding/contracting services; project management; quality assurance of leachate collection system, protective cover installation, etc.  This amount is also considered in the certificate of obligation mentioned above.

Construction is expected to take approximately 10 months with final payment due to the contractor on October 27, 2014 according to the bid, which was based on engineering estimates of the amount of excavation that will be needed.  There are contingencies in place for blasting and other costs.  The city will be providing the contractor with the fuel for the project, which is an unknown final cost to be determined.  Once those costs are in, the city will know the amount of surplus funds will be left from the certificate of obligation, according to a briefing sheet prepared by City of Brownwood Division Director of Public Works and Engineer Don Hatcher.

These funds can be used for other capital improvements at the landfill and/or to pay back the principle on the bonds, according to Hatcher.

In other matters on Tuesday’s agenda:

*Council approved on first reading an ordinance changing the zoning classification of 2310 and 2314 Main Boulevard, being Block 23, Lots 2-5, of the Brownwood Heights Addition from MH Manufactured Home/Mobile Home District to M1 Restricted Industrial District.

*Brownwood Fire Chief Del Albright reported that the foundation pad for the new Central Fire Station is complete, the rebar is approximately 50% tied together and that the weather has caused a slight delay in the construction.  Albright stated that electric and plumbing will be the next phase of the construction which will begin soon.

*City Manager Bobby Rountree reported that the airport runway construction is well underway with lights and crack sealing completed.  Paving will be the next step.  Weather permitting the runway will be completed by the end of January according to Rountree. The repairs are being funded from a $2 million dollar grant the airport previously received.

*City Manager Bobby Rountree gave an update on the new soccer complex, stating that the architect is 96% complete on the proposed plan and that bids will be taken at the first of the coming year.

*Brownwood Fire Chief Del Albright reported that the Brownwood Fire Department will receive a second truck from the Texas Forest Service, as a part of the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS).  According to Albright, the wildfire truck is a 1992 model that has had $50,000 worth of restoration completed and is given at no cost to the department other than the mutual aid agreement that the vehicle be shared during times of need and manned by BFD firefighters when the need arises in fires across the state.  The style of the truck has a higher clearance which allows it to carry more water and it is a four man truck, which is twice as many occupants as the first truck.  Albright and Assistant Chief Grady Shuey will pick up the new truck in College Station on December 2nd.  Albright stated that the gift of the truck, which is one of three being awarded, is part of the State of Texas’ effort to build the mutual aid network.