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COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL
May election cancelled, drainage project bid awarded
Columbus city council members discussed ways of informing the community of their support towards the proposed Colorado County Emergency Services District #1 at their recent city council meeting on Monday, Feb. 24.
Place 4 councilman Michael Ridlen voiced that council members should find a way to adequately showcase their support of the ESD given that he feels most residents will vote on the item based off “hearsay.”
“99% of residents won’t attend the twon halls and will make their decision based off of hearsay,” said Ridlen. “How do we convey the message that we are in support of the ESD?”
Columbus Mayor Lori An Gobert urged council members to do their due diligence by using their social media platforms and attending the town halls coordinated by the Colorado County Firefighters Association to showcase their support over the proposition.
City council members additionally motioned to accept the certification of unopposed candidates, Mayor Gobert, Place 1 councilman Keith Cummings and Place 2 councilman Ronny Daley, effectively cancelling the general election set for Saturday, May 3.
An action item was also approved awarding the bid for a Columbus Drainage Project to Strayhorn Project Developments LLC at a price of $361,815.
City Engineer John D. Mercer spoke to council members and disclosed that six bids were received for the proposed project, with all but one bid in excess of $500,000 and a singular bid by Texas Materials in excess of $1,000,000.
Despite Strayhorn having the lowest bid, Mercer insured city council members that their work was high quality, checking off both boxes for the most “affordable” bid and their “qualifications”.
The next Columbus City Council meeting will be held on Monday, March 10.
