by Chris Cornwall
The Avon town council met for its regular meeting on July 11 at Avon Town Hall. All council members were present. The council meets on the second and fourth Thursdays each month at Avov Town Hall Council Chamber, 6570 E. U.S. 36, Avon.
WHAT HAPPENED:
The council unanimously awarded the White Lick Creek bank restoration contract to Natural State Streams, based in Little Rock, Ark., with a bid of $359, 915. The town received three other bids and awarded the lowest one.
WHAT IT MEANS:
Stream-bank erosion along 340-feet of White Lick Creek has damaged a section of newly paved trail north of U.S. 36. The section is from Phase 4 of the White Lick Creek trail project, which runs north from U.S. 36 to County Road 100 N. The bank must be restored and stabilized with reinforced soil lifts to keep it from encroaching on the trail.
The overall cost to restore the bank and trail could near $500,000. Because the erosion was unexpected, the town will tap into funds set aside for other programs. Of the $359,519 needed for the bank restoration, $230,000 will come from the food and beverage tax fund set aside for park projects. The other $130,000 will come from the Cumulative Capital Development fund which currently has a balance of $950,000.
According to plans from the Department of Public Works, the streambank will get what are called “soil lifts.” Crews will lay down reinforced soil layers like a set of stairs down the bank. The contractor could begin work as early as July 18 and has 90 days to complete the project.
After the “substantial erosion problem” is fixed, Public Works Director Ryan Cannon said they estimate additional costs of $50,000-$100,000 to restore the trail.
Town Council President Marcus Turner advised that the area’s instability warrants a better evaluation for future projects.
“For any other project we do from now on that corridor, trail expansions, anything, we need to do some upfront work on at least evaluating the streambank situation.”
WHAT HAPPENED:
The council signed a resolution that allows retiring Avon Police Department officer Jeff Lewis, to keep his badge and service weapon.
WHAT IT MEANS:
The town allows police officers who retire in good standing to retain their badge and sidearm after leaving the force.
