Three bids for upcoming public works projects were approved by the Warrenton Board of Aldermen at their Feb. 4 meeting. All three bids were for professional services as the city continues with ongoing projects to update and modernize its infrastructure. 

The first of the three was a bid for $65,500 to Cole and Associates to help design, administrate and go out for bid on the second phase of the Boonslick Road sidewalk project. 

“This is for them to get it out for bid, make sure everything’s going the way it’s supposed to and oversee the project,” said Public Works Director Guy Gevers. 

The first phase of that project, which repaved sidewalks on Booneslick Road from Thurman Street to S. East Street was completed late last year. 

That project will continue with phase two, where crews will continue to pave sidewalks west to Market Street. 

City Director of Operations Jon Struckhoff said they were eyeing a spring start date for construction and hoped they would be finished before Warrenton’s Fall Festival in September. 

He also said in phase three of the project sidewalk improvements would extend another block west to S. West Street. 

The other two bids, for professional services, were both awarded to Gonzalez Companies LLC, for $43,000 and $113,000. 

The first of the two projects will be to replace a water main on Sunrise Court and Rainbow north on Highway 47. 

According to Gevers, the project will replace approximately 2,100 feet of four-inch water main with an 8-inch pipe and it will also include a new bore under Highway 47. 

According to the bid materials provided by Gonzalez Companies, the main has “been designated by city staff as an area of needed repair and replacement, maintenance issues with the old transite pipe have become far too frequent.”

The third bid, and second project awarded to Gonzalez Companies, was to conduct a study of the city’s water system. 

“They’re going to re-check, re-survey all the area and then readjust what we need to upgrade on the water system,” said Gevers. “We’re not in trouble anywhere, we just need to have a plan for the next five years.”

Struckhoff clarified, saying the study was part of a Missouri Department of Natural Resources program allowing municipalities to study their water systems every five years. 

“So the engineering firm looks at things like, will you have enough water if one of your highest producing wells is out of service? Will you have enough water if your largest water tower is out of service,” said Struckhoff. 

The results of the study will be used to ensure the city’s water system remains sustainable and to prepare for any future expansions. 

“One thing that we’re adding to is a hydraulic model,” said Struckhoff. “Which will show us where we could plug in that we have future needs at this particular location.”

He said the hydraulic model could be used to find areas of weakness or concern within the water system so they can be upgraded. The model can also be used to find and isolate leaks in the system. 

“As we keep updating it and keep adding data into that hydraulic model, it’s going to help us in the future, for future planning and make sure that we have the water capacity that we need,” said Struckhoff. 

All three bids were approved unanimously.