Warrenton aldermen voted to waive the bidding requirements for a possible sidewalk project that they believe could save the city money. With the Market Street sidewalk installation nearly complete, the city hopes to take advantage of the contractor's close proximity by negotiating a similar price for a stretch along South Highway 47. The board voted 4-0 Tuesday night to follow a provision allowing the city to ignore its normal bidding procedure and not seek at least three bids. Aldermen Jim Dreyer and Beth Kendall were absent. City officials are proposing to build sidewalks beginning near the Warrenton Wesleyan Church and ending at the Warrior Avenue intersection. The only portion along that Highway 47 stretch to have a sidewalk is St. John's Lutheran Church, a project that was funded by a grant several years ago. The sidewalk installation has been promising of late since Michelle Schlenther, economic development director, secured three property easements. Several more easements, however, are needed. "I see it as an opportunity," Mayor Greg Costello said. "This is the only stretch we have left. People and children will be able to walk to the school area. I think it will be a real bonus for our citizens. You see an awful lot more people walking daily." Karrenbrock Construction, New Melle, is performing the work on Market Street, a project that is being funded mainly through a sidewalk enhancement grant administered by MoDOT. Karrenbrock Construction had submitted the low bid for $79,945.50, a figure that also included excavating work and retaining wall expenses. Also at Tuesday's meeting, the board passed a motion authorizing Terri Thorn, director of operations/finance officer, and Rob Hamlin, public works director, to negotiate a price for the Highway 47 sidewalk project. Thorn told the board representatives from Karrenbrock Construction are willing to charge the same prices for concrete, seed and straw. City officials believe the project will require minimal excavation work, potentially reducing the overall expense. When Karrenbrock Construction submitted a bid for the Market Street project, its figure was around $20,000 cheaper than the second-lowest bid, Thorn noted. A solid offer is expected to be brought to the board at the next aldermanic meeting Nov. 3. Thorn said the city has $25,000 budgeted for sidewalks and another $7,500 is left over from the Market Street project.