The St. Marys City Commission moved several infrastructure and utilities items forward during meetings from January through March 2026, including sidewalk contracts, equipment purchases for the electric department, and a right-of-way permit for AT&T.
The commission accepted a low bid of $25,217.50 from Ornamental Concrete for the 2nd Street sidewalk project (Mission to Alma) after staff presented competitive quotes. Separately, Bob Schindler presented an estimate of $4,700 for a walking trail on Mt. Calvary Road; the commission reached consensus for Schindler to proceed with that work and was advised of potential Safe Routes to School grant eligibility for a high-school connector route.
Work on the 5th Street/Bertrand electrical extension continues; staff reported they are awaiting vendor quotes, including from PAR Electrical and IES. Commissioners also considered electrical-rate information packets prepared by Commissioner Francis Awerkamp. At the March 3 meeting the commission reached consensus to implement the rate increase under the presented Option One and directed City Administrator Maurice Cordell to update the Master Fee Resolution.
The commission approved an Altec Industries quote of $267,748.00 for a new digger truck to support the city’s electric utility work and accepted a Prairieland Partners quote for a replacement mower. Such equipment is intended to support maintenance and reliability of street and electric services.
On March 3 the commission accepted Pottawatomie County’s bid of $309,115.96 for the Palmer Road bridge replacement. The commission also reviewed and then approved an AT&T Right-of-Way permit agreement that sets terms for plan submission, construction standards, traffic control and right-of-way restoration; the mayor was authorized to sign the permit.
City staff will return with vendor schedules, delivery timelines and any final rate ordinance language required to implement the electrical-rate change.