Project to correct water lines, fix surface

During its regular meeting Feb. 12, the Gallup City Council discussed a proposed reconstruction design for the alleyway south of Coal Avenue between Second and Third streets. Several water line breaks have plagued that location in what city Public Works Director Stanley Henderson views as a string of bad luck.

When asked by District Four Councilor Fran Palochak if this project would complete the work on the Coal Avenue alley, Henderson said this is the second phase of the project. The first phase was done on the alley stretching from First to Second streets, and the second phase will run between Second and Third streets.

“It is imperative this work is done because of the business owners [near the water line breaks],” Palochak said.

The council received two proposals from DePauli Engineering & Surveying, one for utility reconstruction and one for surface reconstruction. Both proposals include the design, bidding assistance, and construction administration for their respective areas.

According to Henderson, the electric design for the project will be addressed by the city’s electric department at a later date. He added that this project is listed on the 2018-2019 Community Improvement Plan.

Previously, the city designated $35,000 for the design, and DES’s proposal costs a little over $78,000 for surface reconstruction, while the water and wastewater reconstruction would cost just more than $80,000.

Mayor Jackie McKinney said this leaves the council short about $123,000 and asked where that money could be obtained.

Henderson said that most of the funds could be taken from other budgets $43,000. could be taken from the general fund for surface reconstruction, and an additional $45,000 could be taken for utility reconstruction from the Water Department Fund. Also, about $17,000 could be taken from both the city’s 506 water fund and 508 wastewater fund and added to the project to make up the balance.

Additionally, Dist. 3 Councilor Yogash Kumar asked whether the funds could be taken from the city’s 206 environmental fund, and was told that was another possibility.

City Manager Maryann Ustick said that a proposal for this project could be drafted and presented at the next regular meeting.

When Dist. 1 Councilor Linda Garcia asked when the project could get started, Henderson said it can begin as soon as the resolution passes.

In all, the city council appeared enthusiastic about getting the project underway.

“I’m glad we put this on the strategic improvement plan,” McKinney said.

In addition to the construction of the alley between Second and Third streets, the council also discussed a $35,000 change order to the alleyway project between First and Second streets, or phase one of the alley project. The change order was justified by the length of the project, construction, and CAD drawings.

Both items were approved with a 4-0-0 vote.

By Cody Begaye
Sun Correspondent