The Stuart City Council approved several project items at Monday night’s meeting.

The Council held a public hearing on the plans, specifications, form of contract, and cost estimate for the Southwest 3rd Street storm sewer extension project. Council member Theresa Glass gave concerns about the submitted bids being too high and suggested they go out for bid again at a later date. City Engineer Forrest Aldrich told the Council they received 11 bids, which was impressive, and said he wouldn’t expect the bid amounts to change much if they let out for bid another time. The Council approved awarding the contract to the lowest base bid of $91,020 from McCarthy Trenching, LLC of Avoca. The project is being funded from the City’s tax increment financing budget.

The Council then approved a fifth pay estimate of about $1,765 to Kingston Services for completion on the Wambold Addition, Phase 2 project, which accounts for liquidated damages due to the work being completed a year behind schedule. They also approved the first pay estimate of about $124,471 to Concrete Technologies Inc. for work on the All Saints Addition. Aldrich said the contractor is doing all they can to stay on schedule for infrastructure work to be done by August of 2020. Public Works Director Jim Henderson mentioned that they’re currently working on moving the well line.