Bland aldermen held a meeting Thursday morning to sign off on the preliminary bond hearing that marks the beginning of the city’s infrastructure project.

While the city’s long-time engineer Terris Cates with Integrity Engineering led the meeting, Michael Hartman with USDA, the grant originator, introduced the project.

“I know we have ran into a few hiccups getting the bids ironed out, and I thank all of you who were a part of that,” Hartman began. “The preliminary bond hearing is what we call the meeting we are in right now and during this point in time, there are two bonds, one revenue bond for $220,000 and a general obligation bond of $650,000.”

Bland Mayor Lee Medlock officially opened the public meeting to accept the bonds at 10:45 a.m. — about 45 minutes later than the meeting was scheduled to begin — because they did not have a quorum to proceed.

During the meeting, the $220,000 revenue bond and $650,000 general obligation bond were accepted and approved with a 3-0 vote from aldermen. They also approved the loan closing, preliminary closing certification, Series A and B bonds and a resolution of tax compliance to pay for the new financial obligations with a 3-0 vote.

Medlock was given the authority to sign the affidavit of indebtedness on behalf of the city of Bland with a 3-0 vote. The city signed a water/waste management agreement saying that they would not sell the infrastructure they are purchasing with the bonds.

The preliminary bond hearing transitioned into a pre-construction conference at 11:10 a.m. with contractors whose bids were approved to work on the project.

Hartman advised the group and aldermen, “continue to work closely with Terris and his group. If you get out there doing a job and foresee any changes, we would like to know right away. Follow your contract documents as closely as possible.”

Approved contractors who had representatives present at the May 27 meeting included Contract One: Phoenix Fabricators and Erectors, LLC; Contract Two: Mid-State Pipeline Maintenance, LLC in Belle, with subcontractor Mike Adams, CFI foundation work, Zooming in; and Contract Three: Donald Maggi, Inc.

The representative from Phoenix said they expected to break ground on July 1, Mid-State Pipeline expected to be onsite by the end of August and Maggi said they ran into a snag for materials and aren’t sure when they will be able to begin work.

“We need to lock in the price as soon as possible,” Cates said. “We already have what is on the bid.”

The representative said the price is not locked in until the bid is signed — which it wasn’t yet.

“We have no idea where to get the pipes, hydrants, valves, etcetera,” The representative began. “There has been a price increase in materials. If Core & Main, the largest supplier of pipe in the United States, can’t get it, it’s bad.”