by KENNETH FRY, Press Argus-Courier Editor Friday, September 5, 2008 2:49 PM CDT
During a called meeting, members of the Van Buren City Council on Tuesday approved the purchase of furnishings for the new library, OK'd funds for the removal of tree stumps and authorized the repair of roofs damaged by recent storms.
Aldermen voted 4-0 to buy $226,699.29 of interior furnishings for the library at 15th and Main streets from Missco Contract Sales and The Norman Co. in Fort Smith, Woodco Furniture in Van Buren, Workplace Resource and LaHarpe's Office Furniture in Little Rock, Today's Office in Springdale and Innerplan Office Interiors in Fayetteville.
Bill Swaim, Donna Parker, Mary Ann Dodd and Teena Sagely voted to purchase the furnishings from library sales tax funds. Kevin Johnson and David Moore did not attend the meeting.
Mayor Bob Freeman said the bids were recommended by MAHG Architecture and the library board.
The $3.4 million, 19,000-square-foot library is expected to be ready to turn over to the city by Oct. 4, Freeman told the council.
Aldermen approved repairs authorized by Traveler's Insurance to 10 city properties for a total of $96,351.47.
Included were animal shelter, Big Smith Roofing, $2,922.38; Dr. Louis Peer Memorial Park, D&S Specialty, $1,325.21; Field of Dreams concession, Big Smith Roofing, $4,124.28; FOD concession 2, Big Smith Roofing, $3,310.86; FOD football press box, Big Smith Roofing, $1,154.65; FOD hospitality house, Big Smith Roofing, $3,124.28; FOD ticket booth, Big Smith Roofing, $175; King Opera House, P.I. Roofing, $69,225; Riverfront Park restrooms, Big Smith Roofing $904.34; and Van Buren Senior Inn, Big Smith Roofing, $10,085.47.
Freeman said there would be no out-of-pocket expenses to the city for the repairs.
Pending projects include the advertising and promotion office at the depot, Blanche Moore Memorial Park, Fire Station 1 and 2, Municipal Complex and police department.
The council approved up to $23,400 for Larry Gordon Construction to remove 18 uprooted stumps from city rights-of-way. Thirty-five percent of the expense is expected to be reimbursed by the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management as a result of the June windstorm.
