Council approves removal of hazardous park trees; discusses bridge deck reinforcement

The City of McCassel council approved removing two large pine trees and a maple tree from the city park after officials described them as hazardous. The presiding official said contractor Alton Green would perform the work and the meeting record shows the council approved an expenditure the official stated as about $2,600.

Councilors also discussed replacing the bridge deck and performing additional reinforcement to extend the deck to the bank and strengthen the frame. The presiding official said the council may purchase steel beams to reinforce the frame; during the discussion the meeting transcript records a figure of "$17.23 dollars I believe," which appears to be an incomplete or transcribed error for the material cost. Council members approved moving forward with the reinforcement work and noted the city may be reimbursed for some costs but wanted to budget for the expense if reimbursement does not come through.

The council then reviewed two bids related to a crosswalk and road access near the First Baptist Church and the water department building: Foster's Grading ($28,050) and Hallway Trenching ($26,200). Members agreed to review the bids and consider scheduling the work in the fall.

The meeting record shows motions were made, seconded and approved by voice vote on the tree removals and authorizing reinforcement work; no roll-call tallies were read into the transcript.