The Century Council approved a recommendation from Interim City manager Buz Eddy to allow Escambia County (Fla.) to replace 10 commercial gas meters through a mutual aid response at a cost of $17,171 to help the town.
Eddy told the council that Pensacola Energy has agreed, at Mayor Grover Robinson's direction to make the repairs at cost right away.
“We were concerned if we did not do an RFP with the complexity of a gas meter like the one at the prison,” said Eddy. “It's very complex work and there are only a few entities in northwest Florida that can do this kind of work. We were sort of rescued by this mutual aid response, we decided to bring it to the city council and ask that you approve Pensacola Energy doing the work for not to exceed $17,171 on these 10 gas meters.”
Eddy explained that the gas meter at the prison was a refurbished one and is not installed correctly, although it was thought to be.
“Even though the meter has been replaced, it was replaced with a rehabbed meter and it is not level,” he said. “When a meter like that is not level, all the gears don't turn that aren't lubricated at the right time.”
Councilwoman Ann Brooks said she thought the prison's commercial gas meter was installed correctly and was surprised to learn that it was not.
In a motion made by Councilman James Smith and seconded by Councilwoman Sandra McMurray Jackson, the motion carried.
In other business, the council approved:
-a request from Capital Trust Agency for the town to waive its fee on a re-issue of bonds to finance the building of a senior housing project due to fraud on the contractor's part
-for 11 town of Century employees to be reimbursed for uniforms up to $200 per employee in the amount of $2,200 total due to a dispute with Airmark
-the removal of 5 pine trees at Nadine McCaw Park in the amount of $5,000, which will include removal of the stumps (to be replaced in the fall with some foliage such as shade oaks)
The next council meeting will be at 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 21, at Century Town Hall.
