In a called meeting on Monday, May 12, the Demorest City Council unanimously approved several key expenditures aimed at improving city infrastructure and addressing ongoing facility issues at public safety buildings.
The projects range from water remediation at the city’s fire and police departments to engineering design work for relocating city offices, as well as lift station repairs and the purchase of a new truck for the water department.
Mold remediation at fire, police departments
City Manager Mark Musselwhite informed council members that both the fire and police departments are dealing with persistent water intrusion in their basements, which has led to mold problems requiring immediate attention.
The fire department’s basement remediation project, costing $18,994, will involve complete removal and decontamination of items, disposal of ceiling tiles and the old council stage, and installation of a new drainage system. The police department will receive a similar scope of work at a cost of $18,940.
City Hall
The council also approved $19,600 in design services from Blake, Rainwater, and Associates. The work will focus on redesigning the old school building to serve multiple purposes: relocating city hall to the center of the facility, moving the police department into city hall’s current space, and eventually placing the post office into the old school building.
Truck replacement
Due to a failed transmission in an older vehicle, the water department will replace the truck at a cost not to exceed $45,000. Water Department Director Brian Popham noted the cost to repair the existing vehicle was roughly $15,000, making replacement the more prudent long-term option.
Sewer lift station repairs
The final approvals included two significant repairs to local sewer lift stations. The Demorest Elementary School lift station will be repaired for $28,220.48, while the South Habersham Middle School station, which requires more extensive work, will cost $41,576.28. Both contracts were awarded to MPE Services.
