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West Memphis city council round-up

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Rich Road bridge faulty; news and notes from second July meeting

news@theeveningtimes.com City council busied itself grabbing federal funding for an ailing bridge in the city and heard a handful of new business on first readings during its July 15 meeting.

The city moved to receive federal funds to fix the Rich Road Bridge. City Engineer Amanda Hicks provided funding details before city council approved.

Due to the traffic volume and the severity of the conditions at the Rich Road Bridge, we've been asked to monitor it daily before shutting it down,' said Hicks. 'The funding comes from highway infrastructure program. It usually replaces bridges only on highways. The caveat on this is funds can be used to replace a local bridge, bridge only, no roads.'

Councilman Wayne Croom pushed for details on the Redding Street Bridge replacement. The old bridge was already torn out when rotted wooden supports were discovered.

'A lot of bridge funding has to do with the amount of traffic running across it daily,' said Hicks.

'Redding street is on our plan on 2026. '

Croom thought the safety barriers left after the bridge was removed were lax next to the neighborhood schools, Bragg Elementary and West Junior High.

Continued on Page 3 COUNCIL (cont.) Hicks promised to fortify them.

• Council heard the first reading for an another proposed communication tower in the city, this one at 1400 Ingram Boulevard.

Alderman took no action.

'Do we really need another tower in this city?' asked Councilwoman Lorraine Robinson.

No one responded before Mayor McClendon moved to the next agenda item.

• City council approved a routine ordinance allowing city officials to do construction business with city treasurer Charlie Suiter, Jr.

without a conflict of interest and made it retroactive to the day he took office.

The measure resulted from a state auditor's recommendation.

• City council approved refinancing an airport bond saving the city $430,000.

'The bond money is through Raymond James' said McClendon.

'Everyone needs to know they treated me to a Grizzlies game. It's not a conflict of interest. The city has done business with them on bonds for a long time.'

• City Clerk James Pulliaum commended Utilities General Manager Todd Pedersen and the Utilities commission for its decision to explore the feasibility of providing broadband service to city customers.

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