A bid for the awarding of a contract regarding a downtown sidewalk project was approved by the Canton City Council during a special called noon meeting July 12.

The council members awarded a contract to Carr Construction regarding the Dallas Street (State Highway 64) Sidewalk Project following a presentation by Canton City Manager Lonny Cluck.

“That is where the gentleman drove down the sidewalk several weeks ago and tore it up,” recalled Cluck to the council members. “His insurance was good to a certain amount. We went out for bids on this, and the bids came in. I needed to go ahead and order the streetlights. It will be six to eight weeks before they arrive.”

The bid received from Carr Construction totaled $64,464, according to Cluck. A lower bid from FDC Construction totaling $61,815 was turned in, however, FDC Construction turned down the job due to their upcoming work schedule.

Out of the total repair cost from Carr Construction, the city has received payments of $41,871.64 from a third party and $7,296.05 from the Texas Municipal League (TML) leaving the city responsible for the remaining $15,656.31, according to city officials.

In other business during the July 12 special called meeting, a resolution authorizing the city to perform or cause to be performed an equivalent-match project in return for a waiver of a local match fund participation requirement regarding repairs for the bridge location at East Tyler Street and Mill Creek was approved by the council.

The project involves installing a culvert on the College Street bridge and replacing the bridge on East Tyler Street (Dog Alley) at Mill Creek, according to city officials. The bridge is 100 years old.

The estimated total cost of the project is $593,460 with the estimated required local match totaling $59,364.

Council members approved the purchase of a mini excavator from Mustang Cat in the amount not to exceed $51,469.60.

According to city officials, the council previously authorized Capital Funding for equipment in the amount of $115,000 in this year’s budget funds to be used for the purchase.

The mini excavator will be used for operation/maintenance of water and sewer lines and utility easements in the city right of ways.

It was explained that some areas in the city are inaccessible with existing equipment and city staff must hand dig or rent smaller equipment.

A list of applicants for First Monday parking drawing was also approved by the council members.

Council members approved a final plat for The Creeks at Burnett Trail subdivision located at the end of Burnett Trail.

The final plat involves 32.68 acres out of the Canton Economic Development Corporation’s (CEDC) 60 acres, according to city officials.

There is a housing subdivision planned to include 146 single-family lots. The houses will be a minimum of 1,250 square feet and will have at least a onecar attached garage.

The final plat will serve as a complimentary neighborhood to the Burnett Trail Apartments. The property was purchased by KLICTX LLC from the CEDC.

There was discussion regarding RV’s and truck trailer deliveries to First Monday, but no action was taken by the council members.

According to city officials, a number of vendors are parking RV’s or other wheeled mobile living quarters on rented open air lots.

A number of issues have occurred including the hazard of hitting electric lines/poles while driving through the First Monday grounds; potential overflow of holding tanks on vendor lots/shopping area; loss of income; and obstruction of views for shopping customers and other vendors.

During prime shopping times, numerous truck and trailer deliveries are being made to vendors, particularly food vendors.

The issues involved with the deliveries include trucks and trailers driving in high pedestrian areas; trucks and trailers getting stuck and unable to run around due to crowds/parking; and truck and trailers blocking roads and other businesses.

A recommendation was presented to not allow truck/trailer deliveries during First Monday weekend from Thursday through Sunday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. No action was taken by the council members.

Following a closed executive session, it was announced that, on the advice of their city attorney, the city will send a final default letter to HBIC L.L.C. of Mustang, Oklahoma, which will be finalized in the August council meeting.

The letter is being sent for default on an agreement with the CEDC, according to Canton Mayor Lou Ann Everett.

A work session on the proposed fiscal year 2022-23 budget was held to discuss a number of topics but no action was taken by the council members.

Topics discussed included water/wastewater rates, garbage rates, fee schedule, payroll, tax rate, First Monday, current and future capital improvement projects, and city expenditures on non-city related entities.

The upcoming meeting schedule for the council shows that meetings will be held at 6 p.m. on July 26, Aug. 9, Aug. 16, Aug. 23, and Sept. 6.

Council members Chase Melton and Randon Sumner were not present at the July 12 special called meeting.

The regular monthly meeting of the Canton City Council was held July 19 but information from that meeting was not available at press time.