By Toni Hopper The Marlow Review
Several Marlow streets will get a make- over – or at least resurfaced with asphalt. Marlow city council members awarded Gorman Paving the project after approving the lowest and best bid package at $580,813.50 during Tuesday’s regular monthly meeting.
The engineer’s Estimate for the complete package was $710,821. All three companies came in under that projected estimate. In addition to Gorman Paving, the following bids were also submitted: Ellsworth OKC $696,478.28; and Schiralli Construction Corp. $665,380.37.
City Administrator Jason McPherson said there was a base bid placed, and then alternate bids 1 through 5 for each of the street included in the overall package. The city initially budgeted $460,000 for the overall project, but increased that to $600,000.
“With our sales tax, we can do this,” McPherson told the council. “Gorman did the road on S. Railroad. I’m very happy with all three bidders. They have all done work in Marlow.”
The streets listed in the repair project are: 6th St. from Caddo to Main (which was the base bid for each competitor), 2nd St. from Memorial to Ballpark, Jack Street, Legion Street, 4th St. from Gilkey to Jarboe and 7th St. from Nabor to Payne. This project is slated for the fiscal year 2024-25.
Council also heard from McPherson regarding a request to designate the City of Marlow as the authority having jurisdiction from the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal. This move will allow commercial buildings/businesses a quicker turnaround in meeting the state’s fire codes during remodeling processes. As it currently stands, owners have to be sifted through the process of bringing their buildings to code. The State Fire Marshal covers nearly the entire west half of the State and like many agencies, there are not enough people on staff. It could take up to six months for a business to get their inspection check list.
A private company, Okie Safety Consulting has done work in multiple jurisdictions state- wide. There is no charge to the city and they bill the customer (building owners) directly. They abide by the state fire regulations but are also able to deliver that inspection list to the owners almost im- mediately so remodeling projects can be completed quicker.
Council asked McPherson about a fee, and he said it is $300 for the plain review, then an additional ten cents per square footage. He said the company provides the customer with what they need to know.
“Not that you have answers to the test, but you know what the questions will be.” In the end, everything still goes through the State Fire Marshall for final inspection.
In other business, council approved the recommendations submitted by the Planning and Zoning Commission for two requests – one for a lot split from Terry Turner for 412 N. Ash, and another from Jay and Stacy Patton on a zoning request for property at 201 through 205 W. Memorial from R-1 (single family dwelling residential) to C-2 (general commercial district) with a use on review.
This particular request would be in effect up until ownership changes hands at which time it would revert back to R-1. With the Patton request, the city also adopted Ordinance 458 rezoning that property, and the emergency clause of that ordinance, effective immediately.
Two council members, Tom Wheat and Nuell Brown were absent. All other general business of claims, payroll for February were approved in both the regular council meeting, and in the recordshort meeting of the Marlow Municipal Authority that lasted all of one minute. The next meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 26.