City Council approves changes to street work

By Patrick Fisher

The New Prague City Council unanimously approved changes to two different street projects at its meeting Tuesday, July 6.

The council approved a change order for one block of First Street SE, from First Avenue SE to Columbus Avenue SE. The street is one of five that are being done in the same general vicinity this summer.

The added work was due to the high moisture content in the soil under the street. Representatives of the city staff, the construction crew and the engineering firm of Short Elliott Hendrickson (S.E.H.), Inc. discussed the issue and decided that additional work and backfill would be needed. The estimated cost for the work was $25,767.

The other change was to the work on Central Avenue S. It was requested that a sidewalk be added to the west side of Central Avenue, from Fifth Street SW to the entrance of Southside Park along Central Avenue. The estimated cost of the sidewalk was $5,676. After a brief discussion the council unanimously approved the sidewalk.

Agreement reached

The council unanimously approved a labor agreement between the city and Law Enforcement Labor Services, the union representing officers of the New Prague Police Department.

A change to the agreement was for the wage scale. According to the scale an employee would receive an adjustment of 2.5 percent on January 1, 2004 and then an adjustment of .5 percent on July 1, 2004. Other adjustments would be 2 percent on January 1, 2005; one percent on July 1, 2005; 2.5 percent on January 1, 2006 and .5 percent on July 1, 2006.

The council also discussed adoption of a salary schedule for city employees that will cover this year through December 31, 2006. After some discussion the council unanimously approved the schedule, which includes wage increases similar to those approved in the police contract.