York City Council approves testing contract for new fire station
Although the building site at Lincoln Avenue and 17th Street is just dirt now, York's new fire station took one step closer to completion on Thursday night.
Council members approved a $17,750 bid from the Olsson engineering firm in Grand Island for special inspections and construction material testing.
"Construction observation and testing services are required prior to and during the placement of utility backfills, site development and building construction," Olsson said in its bid. "In addition, special inspection services will be provided for soils beneath structural footings."
The $17,750 is not included in the original $7.8 million bid to construct the station.
"We thought it would be better to have a third party come in," Fire Chief Tony Bestwick said of the services Olsson will provide.
Council member Jerry Wilkinson asked what would happen if Olsson found something wrong.
If something's not up to specifications, Bestwick said, general contractor Scheele-Kayton Construction will have to make it right.
He encouraged the council to approve the bid because, "We want to get this going."
The new station will replace the one at 815 N. Grant Ave., which was built in 1969. The new station should be ready for service by the summer of 2026.
In another Fire Department matter, the council approved the purchase of a tornado siren from Federal Signal Safety and Security Systems for $37,894.
Bestwick said the siren will replace one at First Street and Grant Avenue that is nearing the end of its life. He and City Administrator Sue Crawford said it would be purchased with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that must be used by the end of this year.
The council also approved an agreement with Johnson Fitness and Wellness of Omaha for $54,847 to purchase new exercise equipment for the Community Center.
"This will replace all of the current weight room equipment, and we'll get two new treadmills, too," Parks and Recreation Director Cheree Folts said.
She said the new equipment will arrive by the middle of January.
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