Aragon votes third time on city hall repairs

A third bid taken after second contractor chosen found without EVerify for workers

The third time’s a charm for the Aragon City Council in finding a contractor to make repairs on city hall following a special meeting called to wrap up July.

The July 30 session of the city council approved contractor Midian Roofing to make needed repairs on city hall to prevent flooding during heavy rains, like those experienced already this summer.

The council previously approved Godbee Siding, another local contractor, to take up the work during their July 16 session, but later found the company wasn’t an E-verify approved employer.

Due to this problem, the contract had to be pulled with Godbee since the company didn’t wish to get the verification for the job, according to Public Works director Daniel Johnson.

“We’ve already gotten in touch with Midian, and they won’t be long in getting the work done according to my conversations with them,” Johnson said.

Bids for the work to be completed on city hall first went out and were approved during the June 2015 session of the city council, but after a month of waiting for Superior Construction

ing for Superior Construciton to complete the work, Johnson came before the board again to find a new contractor using existing bids. West Georgia Roofing had also included a bid, but was not se-lected.

The board also approved after a brief conversation to spend $3,800 on a new air conditioner for the Aragon Police Department.

Johnson said the unit needed to be completely replaced and recommended Ware Heating and Air to the board because of past experience with the company and to be able to use the same air conditioning units already installed.

“It’s a Crane unit, which is what we’ve already replaced some units with,” Johnson said. “They’re reliable, and though we have other quotes slightly cheaper, it’s better to go with what we already have and know works.”

The council asked Johnson to also inquire about establish-ing a maintenance contract if it were affordable to ensure other units in operation in city buildings don’t break down.

“It’s better for us to be proactive rather than reactive,” said council member Kevin Prewett.

The council meeting, which began at 6:45 p.m., ended within 15 minutes of its start. Mayor pro tem Curtis Burrus and council member Hunter Spinks were did not attend the meeting.