Updated: Water Tower Painters To Get Second Chance

Fairhope, Alabama

Update: The full city council must still pass a resolution approving this.

Fairhope Avenue tank

CELL PHONE SERVICE ISSUES CONTINUE

After meeting with two council members (Boone, Brown) and city utility department staff, it has been decided to give the company contracted to paint the city's 2 million gallon water tower (Utility Service Company) more time to complete the project even though it was due to be completed two months ago.

The new completion date is no-later-than the end of December when higher penalties may be imposed if still not finished ($2K/day).

The reason given for the delay is inability to find qualified labor; calling the "performance bond" and getting another company to compete the job would probably take much longer, according to the councilmen.

"They don't want to have it on their record" so they solicited and received more help from all around the country, a city source says.

The company's bid was $973,400 (see below); a penalty of $200/day is being imposed for non-completion.

No payments have been made yet by the city, however.

A subcontractor was hired by the company for much of the work.


WATER SUPPLY NOT AN ISSUE

Due to the rainy Summer, the water supply has never been in doubt, but cell phone service continues to be poor on the east side for customers of the three companies who had antennas on top; some city communications have been affected as well.



Comments

Anonymous said…
A good city manager would prevent this from happening.
Anonymous said…
If we had underground tanks this would not happen.
Anonymous said…
if we had underground tanks there would need to be pumps at great expense and maybe no water after a hurricane
Unknown said…
Robotic Water Tower Painting may be the solution for the labor issue. There are many companies that provide this more progressive solution to Water Tower Painting. Why can't we find one and just get it done!
Anonymous said…
Wrong. Emergency generators would provide power for the underground tanks.
Anonymous said…
How would a city manager (we already have a utility director) prevent this from happening? Would he sand and paint the tank his/herself
Anonymous said…
If you have underground tanks you would not have any pressure. Please people move to another topic, you dont know what you are talking about.
Anonymous said…
Bid laws. Lowest bidders
Anonymous said…
being a generator mechanic and having responded to over a dozen hurricanes that I can tell you that fuel, flooding and mechanical breakdowns will adversely effect water availability
Anonymous said…
It does not have to be underground. Many cites use reservoirs to store their potable water.
Anonymous said…
Uh, electric pumps have to be used anyway. To get the water out of wells and up into the tank. Could be driven by engines.
Anonymous said…
theres enough gravity fed water in that tank to supply fhope for days if no power for pumps
Anonymous said…
There has to be a bettter way to store water than in gigantic towers that cost a fortune to maintain.
Anonymous said…
A city manager would prevent the usual confusion and chaos among the unqualified politicians around here that led up to the problem.
Anonymous said…
The problem was the company that had the low bid did not have enough employees that could pass the homeland security qualifications to be on the property. Thanks to the city officials and Police chief for sticking with the proper protection to keep our drinking water safe.
Anonymous said…
That tank was built in the early 1990's, with nothing more being done to it since
Anonymous said…
built right and painted right tanks are designed to be maintenance free for 30 or more years