Mendenhall Mayor Todd Booth recently updated the city board on several projects around the city of Mendenhall. He announced that after nearly a year paving work has started in Mendenhall. No paving work was done in 2020.
Bids were accepted for the paving projects last December. The city received a single bid from J & L Enterprises, which met all specifications for labor, material, and equipment. One of the stipulations of the bid was a locked in price good through September 2021. J & L bid $119.17 per ton for asphalt, $124.85 for ultra-thin mix, and $6 per gallon on TAC.
The work was originally scheduled to begin during February; however, it was postponed several times for a number of reasons. Booth explained that the weather was a big factor in many of the delays.
The board was able to budget $119,278 for paving this year. During a workshop the board decided to continue with their previous philosophy of fixing the places where the streets were dug up to fix substructure first. Following those places the board decided to fix the most traveled roads. After discussions the initial list consists of South Main, Maude Avenue, East Street, Mangum Avenue, Pittman Drive, Railroad Avenue, East Pine Avenue, and the intersection of Court Street and Oak Street. The board also decided to give some attention to the road leading to the city cemetery.
Booth said, “We’re definitely thankful that we’re able to do what we’re doing.”
Booth explained that the city will be able to more paving once the city receives more money for infrastructure.
Mendenhall’s water tower on Highway 43 has passed all inspections and is completely operational with a new water pump. Funds have been acquired to help with tying the tower into the city’s system, which will require the city to cross over school property. Mayor Todd Booth explained that they plan to walk the route that will be used to link the tower soon, and initial plans are for the city to use a fire lane that runs along the property. Booth said a small fee will be associated with using the school district’s Sixteenth Section land.
Booth said the weather has kept them from walking the line, but things are drying up and he anticipates completing this task soon. After meeting with the engineer and getting the right of way done, and finalizing an agreement with the school Booth plans to slow progress on the project.
Booth said, “Once everything is set and ready to go, I believe our plan should be to back up and watch material cost.”
He explained that the cost of materials needed to complete the project has increased drastically since the project first began.
Booth said, “With the cost of material the way it is at this point, it will cost as much as the project itself to purchase the material.
Booth believes the project will be completed soon, but should be completed responsibly. He does not want the city to take on any new debt to complete the water tower. Booth has been consistent in his message of reducing the city’s debt.
The final project recently completed by the Mendenhall City Crew was the beautification of the Highway 49 and Highway 13 intersection. The flower beds and shrubbery around the intersection have been brought up to standard. Booth said the area had grown up slightly and the crew was unable to work it due to the weather. It has since been revived and serves its purpose as an inviting entrance into Mendenhall.
Booth said, “We have to keep our beautification projects up, and I am so proud of our city crew for the work they do.”
