City Council to consider $7 million for Columbia Canal repair
Contractors working to repair the storm-damaged Columbia Canal are likely to get almost $7 million if City Council authorizes money Tuesday for contracted work.
Five companies with nine contracts would be paid for what they’ve done so far to build a boulder dam across the canal, to keep water flowing to the water treatment plant’s reservoir and water plant, assistant city manager Missy Gentry said Friday. The payments also could cover work they are yet contracted to do, she said.
The largest sum, $4.7 million, would go to McClam & Associates Inc., for work on the treatment plant, council’s agenda shows. M.B. Kahn Construction Co. is seeking $908,000, and D&J Machinery & Rigging wants almost $599,000 – both for related work on the plant.
Engineering on a temporary boulder dam across the canal and repairs to a 60-foot breach are coming in so far with a price tag of about $455,000 for Chao and Associates and Kleinschmidt Associates.
Those contracts are on council’s agenda – along with a final vote on proposals intended to make it easier or faster to get building permits to repair damaged homes and businesses.
Council last week tentatively approved changes in city laws so that building permit fees would be suspended for six months. Contractors also would not have to pay business license fees for three months, according to plans for which council gave initial approval.
A more complex proposal would remove a requirement that property improvements made during the past five years be calculated in determining how much of rebuilt structures would have to meet newer, tougher building codes.
That plan drew calls for council to wait until federal and city officials have tallied how many properties might be affected.
Gentry said it is possible that the “substantial improvements” proposal might be delayed if city staff still is working on the plan Tuesday.
Another agenda item
More body cameras for police officers.
▪ The Columbia Police Department is asking for approval to buy 300 body-worn cameras from COBAN Technologies of Houston, Texas. The price, including associated equipment, is almost $170,000.
▪ Police selected COBAN because it already provides the city with cameras and equipment used in its police cars.
If you go
Columbia City Council will hold two meetings Tuesday. Key votes on flood-related expenses, body cameras and changing city laws to speed rebuilding flood-damaged properties in on the agenda for the later meeting.
▪ A work session begins at 2 p.m. in a conference room on the second floor of City Hall.
▪ A regular meeting begins at 6 p.m. in council chambers on the third floor.
▪ City Hall is at 1737 Main St.
This story was originally published November 8, 2015 at 9:16 PM with the headline "City Council to consider $7 million for Columbia Canal repair."