Wright City officials agreed to spend roughly $34,100 to pave Stuermann Road to complete the final improvements on a highly debated project that is nearly finished. Aldermen awarded the contract to Mid River Asphalt for the 3 1/2-inch overlay project at the Sept. 8 meeting. The company’s bid was $70 per ton. It was estimated that 500 tons of asphalt will be used. The final cost of the overlay project will depend on how much asphalt is used, Public Works Director Larry Janish pointed out. Other bids were received from N.B. West Contracting ($70 per ton, $35,035), Byrne and Jones ($72 per ton, $36,000), Pace Construction ($82.50 per ton, $41,250) and Tramar Contracting ($84 per ton, $42,000). City officials also considered bids for a 2 1/2-inch overlay, which would have lowered the price by about $8,000. Janish recommended accepting the 3 1/2-inch overlay. Funds for the project will be allocated from major road repairs, city officials said. “My feeling is 3 1/2 will get you a better job and a longer job,” Janish said. The contractor was expected to complete the paving project on Wednesday. The road project also included installing inlets to help keep stormwater off the road and widening the entrance off Highway H. Earlier this year, county crews made minor repairs as part of an agreement reached in May for the city to assume ownership of Stuermann Road from the county. Stuermann Road serves as the lone entrance from Highway H into the two subdivisions, Falcon Crest and Timber Trails, which are located in the southwest part of the city. A quitclaim deed has been prepared and will be transferred to the city once all of the road improvements are completed. Through the years, the road’s condition had worsened as the city and county took opposing stances on who owned the road. The much-debated issue angered property owners and builders who packed meetings at city hall and expressed disappointment that the only road that leads into the two subdivisions continued to fall into disrepairs. In Other News • The city will begin holding utility disconnect hearings at the first board of aldermen meeting of each month, a move that is being made so that it follows its own code book regulations. Anyone who is wanting to dispute having their utilities disconnected can speak out at that time. • Business and liquor licenses were approved for the Branding Iron Steakhouse, which will be located at 10 Wildcat Center, in pace previously occupied by Donatelli’s. The new restaurant is owned by John Bastian and is expected to open soon. • The city will spend $12,400 to have a metal ceiling installed in the public works maintenance building and replace an old drop ceiling that is falling in. The new ceiling is being bought from Cross Country Builders, Foristell. Other bids were received from AAA Construction, Wright City ($13,900) and Ivie Leagues Homes, Wright City ($15,000). The city had budgeted $21,000 for the project. • As part of the 2012 budget preparation process, all of the aldermen and mayor will serve on the budget committee. That decision was reached at the last meeting. There have been different times in the past where the committee was comprised of only two aldermen and the mayor. As part of the proposed time line, the first draft of the 2012 budget will be reviewed by the board at the Nov. 10 meeting. The budget must be adopted by Dec. 31. • Aldermen voted 4-0 to pass a resolution adopting a policy manual for the Wright City Police Department.