With a bid price now approved, new digital water meters could be in place across Cortez by the end of the summer.
At a city council meeting on Tuesday, May 26, Cortez leaders unanimously approved a $760,263 price tag to install some 3,400 automated water meters. Public Works director Phil Johnson said installation should start by mid-June and be completed within 90 days.
Neptune Technology Group from Tallassee, Ala., received the installation contract. Johnson said the company’s initial bid of nearly $790,000 was negotiated down. City engineers had budgeted the project at $810,000.
The project is funded in part with a $250,000 grant from the Colorado Water Conservation Board and $350,000 from the city’s fund balance. A loan from CWCB will pick up the remaining tab.
The project replaces the city’s current meters with automated meter readers, which use radios to collect data via a drive-by or a fixed-base receiver on every metered account in the city’s system. The new system should streamline both billing and data management as well as encourage conservation by providing residents with more accurate consumption levels.
On Tuesday, the city council also approved:
Ordinance No. 1199, which permits non-motorized boating at Denny Lake and Geer Natural Area.
Ordinance No. 1200, which amends the city’s code regarding penalties for crimes committed and jury trial availability.
A measure that affords the city manager the authority to approve grant funding and sign contracts as the city embarks to update its land use code at a cost of nearly $187,000.
Re-awarded a greens mower bid at the municipal golf course for nearly $51,000.
Approved the sale of an airport hangar and 40-year land lease for $33,100.
Awarded a near-$42,000 bid to replace carpet at the Cortez Police Department.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com