By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorWarrenton city officials are planning to construct a sidewalk on a portion of Pinckney Street to improve safety for pedestrians.At the July 15 board meeting, aldermen voted 5-0 to proceed with the project, which consists of building a sidewalk from the Warrenton High School entrance on Pinckney to Warrior Avenue. Ward 1 Alderman Toni Hawley was absent from the meeting.The city has budgeted $65,000 for the project. At last week’s meeting, Public Works Director Guy Gevers said a rough cost estimate for the work was $50,000.Lewis-Bade, Inc., of Warrenton, is handling the surveying, design specs and bid document preparation for the project.The sidewalk project changes and reduces the scope of work city officials had initially considered. Officials had approached the Warren County R-III School District about a cost-share arrangement to build sidewalks on Pinckney, from the high school entrance to Warrior Ridge.However, R-III district officials decided there wasn’t enough pedestrian traffic to warrant moving forward with the project, according to Mayor Jerry Dyer. The project estimate was $100,000 to build a sidewalk on both blocks.City officials were adamant that improving safety in the area was needed. Ward 1 Alderman Karen Casserly said motorists are speeding and that there are a number of people walking and running in the area.“This is pretty important to public safety as far as I’m concerned,” Casserly remarked. Dyer later added, “One child is worth saving.”In other news• Aldermen agreed to spend $1,321 in tourism money from four requests, all related to advertising. The funds that were approved were $488 for the Warren County Fine Arts Council for tear pads promoting the concerts in the park, $121 from the Warren County Farmers Market for signs, and $600 for both the China House Buffet and Relax Inn for interstate attraction signs.The expenditures were approved by a 5-0 vote.• Flynn Drilling, of Troy, was awarded the bid for a submersible well pump. The company submitted a bid of $75,795, the lowest of three received. The city had budgeted $84,300 for the purchase. Other bids were submitted by BWP, Fenton ($88,800) and Midwest Hydro, St. Clair ($107,750).• Aldermen approved the hiring of Corey Mills as a full-time police officer. He will be paid $17.23 per hour and will begin work with the city on Aug. 11.• The board awarded the bid for employee pants to Clean, of St. Louis, for $1,568.18. The bid was the lone one received by the city.• A liquor license was unanimously approved for El Jimador Mexican Restaurant.City of Warrenton