South Charleston Council has given preliminary approval to a bond issue of up to $600,000 to finish financing a new fire station on Fourth Avenue.
The project was estimated to cost $2.2 million. Last month the council authorized up to $2.4 million in seven-year bonds. Those bonds were finalized Thursday evening but aren't enough because the lowest bid totaled $2.6 million. So council gave preliminary approval to an additional bond issue.
Huntington Public Capital Corp. will purchase both bond issues. The larger of the two carries a 2.61 percent interest rate. City Manager Rick Atkinson said before the meeting that the smaller bond issue does not spell out the interest rate because it hasn't been set yet.
The fire station will be built on the site of the existing Fire Station No. 1 plus the lot next to it.
In other action council approved West Virginia Tractor Co. of Charleston's low bid of $13,314 for 14 dumpsters. The only other bidder, Jefferds Corp. of St. Albans, bid $17,300.
During a Finance Committee meeting prior to the council session, Public Works Director Gerald Burgy said the dumpsters are needed because the city is taking over trash pickup at Southmoor Apartments in Spring Hill. Atkinson said the city will provide the service for $40,000 a year "so it won't be a long payback."
During department head reports:
* Burgy said the Public Works Department has started its annual canned food drive. He said a letter explaining the drive has been sent to residents. Department employees will pick up donations, which will be given to Heart and Hand.
* Burgy asked for and received council's permission to close Walnut Street between Kentucky and Ohio streets on Oct. 23 for an event at the First Church of the Nazarene.
* Three baseball tournaments, each expected to draw more than 60 teams, have already been scheduled at Little Creek Park next year, Burgy said.
* Ward 8 Councilman Don Ryan asked Burgy if the light in the recently built restroom at Glendale Park is left on all of the time. Burgy said it has been left on more than usual because vandals recently broke in and tore off a porcelain sink. Burgy said a swing set for the park is on order and should arrive next week.
* Fire Chief John Taylor said the department is selling pink T-shirts for $15 each with proceeds going to raise breast cancer awareness.
Ward 3 Councilwoman Kathleen Walker did not attend the meeting.
Council's next meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 on the second floor of City Hall on D Street.