Council approves street asphalt project payments, wages for non-union employees

The City of Red Oak has almost wrapped up the final details of the 2021 street asphalt project.
At the regular meeting May 16, the council discussed change order number two for Omni Engineering, in the amount of $12,189 for additional asphalt work.
“The company did some additional asphalt patching in multiple locations. One of the locations was in front of the post office,” said City Adminitrator Brad Wright.
The council approved the change order, and also approved pay request number six, a subfinal payment to Omni Engineering, in the amount of $24,983.
The council also approved a resolution setting wages for non-union employees for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
Wright also shared with the council that there were going to be some changes to the set up of the fire department’s meeting room, as they converted the rear portion of the room into additional bunk space.
While he didn’t yet share the names of the new hires, Wright said the fire department had hired its additional staff, and one of the new hires was female.
“By the next council meeting we’ll have the room converted, and the new hires are going through their additional training.  We’ve hired our first full-time female emergency responder, and so we are making some adjustments to the sleeping barracks,” Wright explained. “Part of this back room will be isolated for a female barracks, and we’ll set up for around two to three beds, so we’re prepared if we continue down that path and continue to hire additional female staff.”
Also, Wright said he had heard good news regarding Prairie Fire’s work at the old middle school building.
“They will be going through a rebranding for the complex which will be announced very soon, and they are hoping to have the first of the units available to lease by November. The project is moving along, and there has been some positive change there,” said Wright
In other business, the council:
•Approved an agreement between the City of Red Oak and the Rural Fire Protection Association for services from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2025.
• Approved a new cigarette/tobacco/vapor license for the Family Dollar.
• Approved the final pay request to McCarthy Trenching for work on the 8th Street project, in the amount of $4,884.
• Approved hangar lease agreements for Brianna Hill and Kevin McGrew, per the Red Oak Airport Commission’s recommendations.