The Mountain Eagle
WHITESBURG WEATHER

Blackey City Council receives bids on materials for community center





Materials needed for the construction of a new community center for Blackey will cost $94,268, the Blackey City Council learned at its October meeting last week.

Mayor Cathy Back told the council the low bid for materials came from AmerLink Log Homes. The bid was for a 60 foot by 30 foot two-story house which can be custom designed to accommodate meeting rooms and other community uses. The bid from AmerLink is for the kit only and does not cover the cost of construction. AmerLink recommends the work be performed by a contractor in northern Kentucky.

Several council members expressed a desire to find a local contractor to do the work and Mayor Back agreed, providing a local contractor can be found. However, they all agreed that getting an estimate from the northern Kentucky contractor would be a good idea. Bates said in order for the designated contractor to provide an estimate, the council would have to commit to AmerLink. Council members agreed it would be difficult do make a commitment before they knew the entire cost of the work.

Council member Betty Watts introduced a motion authorizing city officials to write to AmerLink and explain the city’s situation and tell it it is considered low bidder but the city will require an estimate for the construction before they can submit a request for funds from the county and state. Her motion passed unanimously.

Mayor Back also said the first phase of repairs on city sidewalks is complete, with the second phase ready to begin. Back also thanked former council member Jim Flynn for his help in working with the contractors on the sidewalks. City Clerk Pauline Collins told the council the first phase has been paid for and money is on hand to finish the sidewalk project.

The council also voted to accept the 2006 audit of city funds. Mayor Back praised the audit and said it was done quickly. The council also discussed purchasing playground equipment for Blackey City Park. Back appointed council member Danny Hall to look into getting a stand built for a plaque honoring Blackey residents Dean and Nina Cornett, who donated the land for the park to the city.

In other business:

• The council voted to provide funds for a traffic mirror on a curve near a day care center on High Street. Back said former city council member Sue Kineer is directing the effort. The cost to the city will be $71 for the mirror, plus a pole on which to mount it.


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