The Tuscaloosa City committee approved seven agenda items, including five minor public-works contracts, an airport work-authority addendum and an amendment increasing the maintenance fund for the Tuscaloosa Metro Bridal Shelter.

The approvals included an asbestos-abatement contract for $5,850 at 512 Hargrove Road East; a grading and sodding contract not to exceed $30,000; removal and replacement of wooden bridge handrails near Morris Springs; restoration of third-floor City Hall windows for $22,700; and exterior painting at City Hall for $6,000. The committee also approved a no-cost reallocation and a reimbursable construction-services authorization tied to the Atkins Realis cargo and operations apron project at the airport, and it approved increasing the shelter’s maintenance fund from $30,000 to $80,000 with the city’s share at $22,000.

Why it matters: The window-restoration and exterior-painting work is intended to preserve century-old fabric on the original City Hall building; the asbestos abatement addresses public-safety and demolition costs tied to a specific property; the shelter funding responds to operational needs including replacement of an outdoor freezer and ongoing maintenance for a recent 5,200-square-foot addition; and the airport addendum reallocates savings and secures reimbursable construction oversight tied to a federal grant.

Most important decisions

- Item 1: Tri State Abatement — asbestos abatement at 512 Hargrove Road East, $5,850. The staff presenter said the structure had asbestos discovered during inspection and the quoted work covers removal and disposal. The committee approved the contract by voice vote.

- Item 2: Veil Works Construction — grading and sodding, not to exceed $30,000. Staff said the work will address drainage on properties the city maintains and provide contractor-level grading beyond in-house capabilities. Approved by voice vote.

- Item 3: DMF — demolition of old wooden bridge railing and replacement with decorative black metal railing near Morris Springs on the riverwalk; approved by voice vote.

- Item 4: MAK Environmental — restoration of remaining third-floor windows at City Hall, $22,700. City staff described a pilot restoration of one window last year and said the contractor will clean, replace rotted wood to match original profiles, reseat or replace panes as needed, repaint with two coats and reinstall windows in phases. "All that rotted wood gets replaced. It gets cut to match the original window," said Tim, a city staff member. The committee approved the contract by voice vote.

- Item 5: Red Oak Paint Company — exterior painting covering municipal court doors/frames and iron fencing at DuPont Plaza, $6,000. Approved by voice vote.

- Item 6: Atkins Realis work-authority addendum — two administrative actions tied to the airport cargo and operations apron project. Staff said Addendum No. 2 reallocates unused design funds at no net cost and will apply leftover funds to phase 2 pavement, markings and signage; staff expects to advertise phase 2 in November pending the final federal funding installment for 2026. Addendum No. 3 authorizes reimbursable construction services for phase 1 at $168,826.25, including on-site representation and materials testing by subconsultant TTL; staff said this amount was included in the September grant award. The committee approved the addenda by voice vote.

- Item 7: Amendment to Tuscaloosa Metro Bridal Shelter operating agreement — increase maintenance fund from $30,000 to $80,000. Jimbo, identified in the meeting as a shelter representative, said the shelter has a 5,200-square-foot addition that now requires more than routine maintenance, that the outdoor freezer was removed Oct. 1 and is in the process of being replaced, and that the larger fund would allow resealing, repainting and other repairs to address odor and facilities needs. The $80,000 is in the approved budget; the city’s share is $22,000, the county’s $21,000 and North Port’s $7,000. The committee approved the amendment by voice vote.

Votes at a glance

All seven items were approved by voice vote with "aye" recorded; no roll-call tallies were announced in the transcript.

Other notes and context

- Tim, a city staff member, reported that one window restoration was completed last year as a test and staff were satisfied with results; restoration work will proceed in two phases to complete the third (top) floor.

- On the Buddy Powell pickleball facility electrical work: Tim said Alabama Power had scheduled a foreman to pull the power and the city’s construction scope is essentially complete once power and cameras are in place; operations and parking remain under PERA’s authority, and staff agreed to check on flexibility for parking.

- For the airport apron project, staff said they plan to advertise phase 2 this November after confirming the final federal funding installment for 2026; the bid opening for the related phase was given in the meeting as Nov. 13 with expected authorization of construction in January.

The committee's next meeting was set for Tuesday, Oct. 14. The chair then called for adjournment.