City approves bid for U.S. 441 resurfacing work

The Dublin City Council has entered a memorandum of understanding with the Georgia Department of Transportation for work on U.S. 441 resurfacing. 

GDOT notified the city’s engineering department that they plan to resurface U.S.  441 from East Jackson Street all the way to I-16.

“The city has a lot of utility infrastructure under that roadway, including sewer and water lines and there are manhole covers and valves that will need to be adjusted during that process to make sure their height is corrected,” said Dublin City Manager Josh Powell. “If you have gone down a road that has been resurfaced and the manholes have not been adjusted, you hit a bump. We’re hoping to not do that on this project to make it as smooth as possible.” 

Normally, this work would be done separately from GDOT’s work because the city is responsible for the utilities. GDOT is willing to include the adjustments as part of this project.

“It makes sense for their resurfacing contractor to do this work as part of their overall contract,” Powell said. “They are asking us to reimburse them and pay up front for their expected cost in doing that.” 

GDOT has submitted a cost estimate, and city officials are expecting the cost to be around $69,000. 

“This agreement is for us to ensure we will pay for (the work),” said Powell, adding that this will be paid for out of the water fund. “We do have funding available to cover that.” 

Dublin Mayor Joshua Kight asked about the $69,000 and was informed that it may be lower or higher.

“(The work) needs to be done,” Powell said. “During the construction part of the project, when they are doing the resurfacing, we will have city staff that will monitor their contractor to make sure the work is being done.”

Councilwoman Sara Kolbie asked if the city had a cap for its part.

“If it is over ($69,000), will you notify us and then it will have to come back before the council for approval?” she said.

Powell explained when GDOT bids it out, they will include it as a line item in its bid package. The city will know the cost when the bids are received and have a chance to decide if they want to go forward with GDOT’s contractor.

“This is an agreement to allow GDOT to include (the city’s work) in the package,” Kight said. 

Powell confirmed that they will move forward with the plan if the bidding is within the $69,000 range. Councilman Chris Smith asked about an estimated start date. Powell said GDOT will bid out the work later this year.

When work begins, the city will let people know about road closures and disruption of traffic.

“That is probably a year out from now,” Kight said. 

The council followed this by approving a contract with JSI for Telecom regulatory compliance with JSI. The city began providing telephone service in connection with its internet service.

“That world is heavily regulated at the federal level,” Powell said. “There are a lot of special requirements we have to adhere to. Robert Jefferson (telecom director for the city of Dublin) has recommended that we enter into an agreement with this firm who has expertise in the area.”

The cost will be $1,200 a month, with a one-time onboarding fee of $1,000. This cost will be for the first 12 months.

“It will also be educational for staff to learn what needs to be done and make sure we can maintain in compliance,” Powell said. “As we look into future fisical years, we may adjust this agreement with them to be on an as-needed basis.” 

When asked by Councilman Paul Griggs about who is receiving telephone service from the city, Powell informed them that they have seven or eight commercial locations. Councilman Bennie Jones wanted to know if the city plans to offer its telephone service to residents, and Powell said they have discussed it. Jones encouraged them to do it.

“I think this (service) would pay for itself and then some,” Jones said. “Why not get into it? This is a game changer.” 

In other meeting news, the council:

– Approved a well drilling for irrigation pond at Riverview Golf Course. Powell said they had been filling a pond near hole No. 10 with a hose from a fire hydrant. Sam Martin Well Drilling, Inc., put in a $16,250 bid. He said this will be paid for out of the golf course fund.

– Approved the purchase of a 2026 police Interceptor after a 2022 Ford Explorer was totaled when a deer hit it. The city received an insurance payment of $23,375. They will receive the new vehicle from Hardy Chevrolet.

– Approved purchase of fire hydrant replacement at Brookwood and Shamrock after a vehicle accident. A quote to replace it was provided by TES.

– Approved an infrastructure street drainage project. A vehicle parked in the right-of-way on North Decatur Street near Gaines Street on a concrete slab fell into a sinkhole caused by a deteriorated corrugated metal pipe. A quote was secured from TES to replace 160 feet of pipe with ADS HP storm pipe between two existing catch basins.

“Thankfully nobody was injured and the vehicle was able to drive away,” Powell said. 

The cost of the purchase is $59,722.

– Heard budget presentations from Glenda Berry from the Downtown Dublin Authority, Miriam Lewis from Visit Dublin GA and Sonya May Calvin of Dublin-Laurens Land Bank Authority.

– Tabled a discussion to amend the permit fees and other associated fees for certain residential construction projects.

“The purpose of tabling this is so that staff can continue to look at various options to reducing the building permit fees,” Kight said. 

– Powell announced that the next city council meeting will be at 9 a.m. on May 5. 

“We will have a budget workshop with full council,” he said. “That usually takes most of the day.”