Committee approves contracts for bridge inspections, security upgrades, fiber mapping and firefighter training; OKs $30,000 shoreline materials request

The Tuscaloosa Public Projects Committee approved a slate of professional contracts and maintenance work and authorized a materials purchase to shore up eroding shoreline at a lakes patrol facility.

Mike, a representative of the office of city engineering and public works, asked the committee to authorize $30,000 to buy materials to armor shoreline north of the curve on Watermelon Road at the TPD lakes patrol division. Mike said the asphalt adjacent to the shoreline has begun to slope toward the water over decades and that public works will perform the work; staff noted a future budget amendment will be required. The committee approved the materials purchase.

Zach presented a professional services agreement with John B. Galloway to perform the city's required annual bridge inspections — 30 inspections this year — for $74,745; Zach said the inspections are required by the Federal Highway Administration. The committee approved the contract.

Tim presented several facilities items funded from security enhancements and the Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue administrative-relocation budget, including a minor public-works contract with Building Specialties Companies for rekeying and hardware upgrades at Station Two, exterior door and access-control work at the administrative relocation site (the former East Precinct in Alberta), and interior renovations (demolition, ceiling replacement, lighting, flooring and painting). The committee approved each item.

Tim also presented an annual inspection and routine servicing contract for six inverter systems located at various city properties to ensure operation during emergencies; that work was approved.

Jason requested approval to renew services with VRO, Inc. to document the city's fiber network and splice locations at a micro level; he said general location layers are transferred to GIS for broader use. The committee approved the renewal.

The chief presented a professional services contract with Firefighter Inspiration Readiness and Education LLC for departmentwide training focused on command-and-control for higher-level officers; the committee approved the contract.

The transcript records motions and the chair saying motions passed for these agenda items; no roll-call tallies are recorded in the transcript.

Next steps: staff will process contracts and return to committee with any required budget amendments or award documents as needed.