NEW: Overland City Council votes to demolish Woodson properties
The City Council passed a resolution Monday to accept a bid for the demolition of three buildings by the intersection of Woodson and Midland Boulevard.
"These buildings are in very bad shape," City Administrator Jason McConachie said after the meeting. "One of them used to be a motel. When we clear the way, we're going to try and redevelop the corner."City officials have no specific plans about what kind of businesses could go at the site.
The city accepted a bid of $34,711 from Bellon Wrecking and Salvage. Z & L Wrecking Co. had the highest bid at $62,000.
After starting the project, Bellon has 20 days to finish. No exact date has been set for the demolition.
Although all of the council members agreed that the work is necessary, they argued about the process of opening the bids. Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Owensby wants future bids to be opened in a more public setting, with council members present.
McConachie told the council that the bids were opened in a public meeting according to the law. Four companies submitted bids for consideration.
"We've hired (McConachie) to do a job," Ward 2 Councilwoman Mary Beth Conlon said. "Let's let him do it."
Mayor Mike Schneider asked for an end to the arguments.
"I would like to see a headache ball come into town," he said.
The City Council unanimously passed the ordinance and received a round of applause from the residents.
In other business:
- A motion to pass a resolution eliminating the Norman Myers Park track improvements from the budget ended in a fiery argument and a stalemate.
At the July 14 meeting, Owensby had requested eliminating $80,000 from the 2008-2009 budget for the track improvements. He said the track could cost more than $80,000.
Conlon objected, saying that the budget already was approved and shouldn't be amended.
"You just can't amend the budget like that," Conlon said. "You can vote no when we (vote on an ordinance) for the track improvements."
Owensby, Ward 3 Councilwoman Peggy Keller, and Ward 4 Councilmen Tim Jones and Les Dills voted in favor of the resolution. Conlon, Ward 2 Councilman Jeff O'Connell, and Ward 1 Councilmen 1 Eedie Cuminale and Jerry May abstained by voting present.
City Attorney Robert Herman ruled that the four yes votes were not a majority, and the resolution failed.
- At the end of the meeting, Schneider implored residents to support Proposition K, a $50-million bond issue the Ritenour School District will place on the November ballot.
"We're talking about economic development," Schneider said. "If we don't make sure our schools are premier, we're not going to get residents and businesses to move here."
The resolution seeks a number of technological updates and renovations throughout the district.
