>> BALDWIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
The Baldwin County Board of Commissioners approved two bids for local projects and heard updates on ongoing county projects.
For engineering and design-related services including providing design development, construction documents, bid assistance, and construction administration services, the board unanimously approved the two lowest bids for the government park project and Harrisburg Park Revitalization and Streetscape Enhancement.
The government park project received three bids and the lowest bid of $165,00 from Root Designs was approved. The Harrisburg Park Revitalization and Streetscape Enhancement received two bids and the lowest bid of $133,000 from Stantec was approved.
“These projects are one hundred percent funded by the grant, so no county funds are being used for the designers or construction of the projects,” County Manager Carlos Tobar informed the board.
During the bid discussion, Tobar also mentioned that the Collins P. Lee Center Memorial Library project is ongoing, and the hope is to break ground for construction in early 2024.
Moving into old business, Chairwoman Emily Davis informed the public that she, Commissioner Hall, and Tobar met with Waste Management to discuss concerns in an hour-long meeting. She stated that the meeting should help to improve some of the concerns discussed in previous meetings and reports.
One commissioner asked that in a future meeting with Waste Management be informed of fluids coming out of the trucks when trash is being compressed so this issue may be resolved.
Tobar then presented the county manager’s report and gave updates on various ongoing projects:
• Body precinct work is nearing completion
• Basement plumbing and framing are completed for the courthouse renovation
• Coopers Water Line Replacement is scheduled to be completed on Aug. 4
• Allenwood Subdivision Pipe Replacement is scheduled to be complete by the end of August
• Senator Jon Ossoff successfully placed the Smith Sibley Sewer Extension in the Senate Appropriations Bill, but more approvals are needed
• Four ordinances will be changed and posted online
• T-SPLOST was submitted to probate judge Todd Blackwell
• County staff is assisting the Greenway Authority with a recreational trails program grant • The county is preparing preliminary engineering reports for two bridges and plans to apply for a United States Department of Transportation grant in November if T-SPLOST passes
• The county submitted environmental documents to the Georgia Department of Transportation for the airport multi-use path
• The county is preparing for the next round of Community Home Investment Program (CHIP) applications The next board of commissioners’ meeting will be held on Aug. 15 at 6 p.m.