The De Soto City Council on Monday voted unanimously to hire Vern Bauman Contracting of Ste. Genevieve to complete a water main replacement project on Blow Street.
Bauman’s bid of $214,285.05 was the lowest of four bids received this month, with the highest bid being $344,963.12.
City Manager Todd Melkus said as of Tuesday, he was not sure when the project would begin.
“I should know by the end of the week when they are going to try and start,” he said.
Melkus said the project came in $84,000 over budget.
“It’s a 337-foot bore underneath the Joachim Creek, which connects to another 272 feet of 6-inch water main. Of course, it includes multiple hydrants, valves, fittings, some laterals as well,” he said. “The rock excavation and boring bids came in higher than anticipated.”
Also, during Monday’s meeting, the City Council unanimously approved a resolution declaring electric vehicle fires to be hazardous materials events.
“(De Soto Rural Fire Chief Tom Fitzgerald) brought this to my attention a few weeks ago,” Melkus said. “With all of the electric vehicles that are currently on the road, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has now declared them to be considered hazardous material because they are so highly volatile when they do catch on fire.
“It’s not just like putting out a regular vehicle. Along with this resolution, we have partnered with De Soto Rural to purchase some blankets, which are used to cover up the vehicles and try to control these situations. This resolution just reiterates that we are considering these to be hazardous materials.”
He said the De Soto Rural Fire District Board of Directors passed a similar resolution last week. The resolution further states thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries can lead to intense fires, release of toxic gases and potential explosions, posing significant risks to human health and the environment.
The council also approved a split of 1300 N. Main St. into three lots.
Councilman Mike Bone was absent from the meeting.