City Manager Reports to Council
On May Activity

 

THE SQUARE –The Capital Construction Division is nearing completion on the plaza in the center of the square.  We had couple of setbacks in May. We incurred water damage to the fountain electronics and we purchased some weak trees that didn’t survive more than 2 weeks.  We will still be ready for the Independence Day celebration with one exception; the bathrooms won’t be ready until late summer.

 

Over the next week or so expect the capstones to be placed on the seat walls, more trees and shrubberies, bistro tables and benches all around the plaza.  The statue will also return to the square, and the monuments for the 36th and 49th armored divisions will also be placed.  You will also see a new flagpole erected at the courthouse, and much of the brick between the courthouse and the plaza will be reset to tie in nicely with the new brick pathway.

 

The Hopkins County Veteran’s Memorial Committee is moving swiftly along on their memorial project.  The granite and limestone monuments are being erected, and the names should be sandblasted into the limestone soon.  The granite and limestone pavilion/kiosk should be erected this week.  The Capital Construction Division has begun placing the electrical conduit for the site lighting and the plumbing for the waterfalls at both ends of the memorial.  The committee is very close to their financial goal, but they still lack a little.  Now is the time for anyone who is considering a donation to make it.

 

As work progresses on the memorial, the Capital Construction Division will also be constructing the walkway that passes from the center of the square toward the First Baptist Church.  This will put us in close quarters with the Hopkins County Veterans Memorial construction workers.  I expect the usual conflicts that occur when multiple tradesmen are working in the same space at the same time.  We’ll minimize the conflicts though.

 

NEW CITY HALL – Demolition is underway. The mezzanine has been removed.   

 

HOME GRANT PROGRAM - We had five successful applicants on the previous round of HOME grant funding.  Two are now in their new homes.  The remaining three will receive their new homes soon.  The contractor has until July to complete the homes.

 

We have five more applicants for funding for additional homes in the works.  Approval is imminent on three of the applicants.  The HOME grant program is funded by HUD.  It pays for the replacement of old, dilapidated homes for qualifying low and moderate income applicants.

 

CLAIMS – TML paid a claim for a motorist whose vehicle was struck by a limb that fell from one of the City’s trucks.

 

We submitted a claim for water damage at the Municipal Court.  A toilet next door malfunctioned flooding the building with water.

 

REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES – Finance Director, Peter Karstens will present a year-to-date review of revenues and expenditures.

 

 

                                                                                                 

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS –   Elsewhere around the City, employees:

 

______