During its last meeting, the Washington City Council awarded a $129,500 contract to Horton Contractors Inc. to replace the decking at the Washington Civic Center.
Four bids on the project, which was budgeted at $125,000, were received by the city. The other bids ranged from $147,000 to $205,200.
Horton Contractors is based in Washington. Work on the project was scheduled to begin Monday and take about 90 days.
At its July 18, 2011, meeting the council was informed the decking was in dire need of replacement.  A report by Wayne Harrell, the city’s chief building official, noted the decking was in poor condition and did not comply with newer building codes. Those violations include the following:
• No protection against decay;
• Too few or inadequate fasteners;
• Decking material not secure;
• Decking material not level;
• Insufficient support and anchoring;
• Missing or noncompliant guardrails, handrails;
• Profile of steps incorrect;
• Accessible ramps and landings inadequate;
• Accessory items insufficient.
Portions of the existing deck were built in the 1970s.
“During the last 30 years the deck has not been adequately maintained and is current in a state of disrepair,” reads the report.
In other business, the council authorized city staff to apply to the U.S. Economic Development Administration for funding for various water and sewer projects totaling approximately $2 million.
The projects included $600,000 for a generator at the wastewater-treatment plant, $800,000 for the parallel water line from the wastewater-treatment plant, $125,000 for a generator with an automatic switch gear for the Cherry Run sewer lift station and $475,000 for eliminating gaseous chlorine disinfection at the water-treatment plant.
If the projects are approved, EDA would provide 50 percent of the funding required, with remaining funding coming from the city’s water and sewer funds.
All projects, except for generator for the Cherry Run sewer lift station, are included in the city’s capital-improvements plan.