Council told of City Hall foundation problems

City Engineer Jim Souba gave the city council an update concerning the foundation problems of the City Hall building at their Tuesday night meeting.

Souba recapped information about the cracks on the south end of the building that were discovered in August 2012.

“When the cracks were discovered, I took it upon myself to go under the building and investigate,” said Souba. “I found the foundation was deteriorating and starting to settle.”

Souba said since the building is registered as a historical site, the city was able to apply for a grant from the State Historic Preservation Office. The city received $40,000 toward the project.

Instead of advertising the project in the newspaper, Souba said the project was solicited to four contractors who were capable to complete the work. Out of the four contractors, only one contractor made a bid for the project. Souba said the one bid that was presented had irregularities and more than what the initial estimate of the project should cost.

Council members agreed and then rejected the single bid because of its irregularities, cancelled the advertising and solicitation and regrouped and strategized on revising the solicitation bid.

Other items discussed and approved include the following:

Discussed Nevada Rural Housing. Gary Longaker gave a presentation on the progress of NRH and the programs that are offered through the agency to help homebuyers.

Department reports

Souba reported Convention Center Drive opened for public use on Sunday. A small ribbon cutting ceremony will be held in the future, but the date has yet to be determined.

Chief of Police Kevin Gehman reported the police department received an Advance Accreditation Award from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). The department is now one of 130 accredited B category departments in the nation.

Mayor Ken Tedford Jr. gave dates on future events. Small Business Saturday is Nov. 30, while the City Hall open house and the Christmas tree lighting on Maine Street are on Dec. 6.