Bids for walkways, dump truck top Malvern council agenda

The Malvern City Council held its regular monthly council meeting Monday via teleconference through the Teamup Microsoft web app online.

During the meeting, the council approved several items of old and new business that included two ordinances for its second reading by title only and one ordinance for its first reading.

For n ew business, the council agreed to accept the low bid pertaining to the city park walkways— $97,000.00 (including optional alternate of $22,075.00). It is noted, "The city of Malvern held a bid opening on Tuesday, February 23 at 2:30 p.m. in the Malvern Water Works conference room for the construction of Malvern City Park Walking Trail. Present for the opening were Mayor Brenda J. Weldon, architect Greg Pumphrey, City Clerk Phyllis Dial, Water Works manager David Coston and Bill Almond representing TriState Track. Also attending via teams were Kim Sanders of ARDOT and representatives from Cate Construction, Pioneer Civil Construction, and Township Builders. The bid opening was available for viewing on Teams and Pumphrey announced that all four bidders appeared to provide necessary bid documents, and that the bids will be reviewed prior to presentation to the city council for the awarding of the contract."

For other items of new business, the council agreed to accept the low bid pertaining to a new dump truck; and approved the purchase of a crack sealer from the state contract. Also, an ordinance amending ordinance No. 944 regulating service entrances was introduced by the council and read by mayor Weldon for its first reading. The council will vote to have the second reading of the ordinance during the agenda meeting in April.

During old business, the ordinance abolishing planning commission and an ordinance reestablishing planning commission were both introduced by the council and read by title only by Weldon. The council will vote to have the third reading of both ordinances during the agenda meeting in April.

Monday's meeting was live streamed with council members able to communicate with Weldon, Dial, City Attorney Cecilia Ashcraft and all city department heads.

Weldon called the meeting to order at approximately 6:30 p.m., with the invocation, followed by the pledge of allegiance. Following roll call for the council, the council approved the minutes of the previous regular meeting—February 8, 2021 and departmental reports—Finance, Fire/ Code Enforcement, Street, Police, Animal Control LifeNet and Water Works reports were accepted by the council.

The Malvern City Council will have its next scheduled finance/agenda meeting at 6:30 p.m. in April.

Until further notice, council meetings will be held via teleconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Malvern City Council meets every first and second Monday of each month. The public can visit the city of Malvern website at www. malvernar.gov and Facebook page for updates and to find the link to tune in online while meetings are streamed live to safety guidelines and protocol procedures enforced by Gov. Asa Hutchinson of social distancing to prevent the coronavirus.