Council votes to replace Lullwater sewer lift station

The Cairo City Council is moving forward with a major utilities infrastructure project to preserve adequate sewer service to a large part of south Cairo.
On Monday night, the council accepted the low bid of $454,602 from Hancock & Sons Construction of Doerun, Ga. to replace the Lullwater sewer lift station.
The current lift station was built in 1965 and, according to Cairo City Manager Chris Addleton, is in desperate need of replacement.
This project is similar to the 2012 replacement of the Seventh Avenue S.E. lift station, which cost approximately $750,000.
The contractor will provide and install the new wet well, valve pit, man holes, submersible pumps, sewer lines, and generator. Once the contractor is finished, Cairo Public Works Director Raymond Stokes and his crew will manage the piping and valving of the station, and the installation of a force main, electrical controls, the generator, and the SCADA system.
Addleton says that using city forces to complete the project will save approximately $150,000.
While reviewing the bids, Councilman James H. (Jimmy) Douglas questioned the city manager about the significant differences in the bids.
“Did Stacy (Watkins, the city’s consulting engineer) have any concern with the wide discrepancy in the bids?” Douglas asked.
Addleton said that Watkins, of Watkins & Associates, had worked with the low bidder on past projects and offered assurances that Hancock & Sons is a quality contractor.
“I just don’t want someone to find out later they left something out and come back to us with a lot of change orders,” Douglas said.
The council voted unanimously to accept the low bid. The project will be paid for using proceeds from the city’s Municipal Competitive Trust account.