Baker to seek bids for natural gas lines

BAKER — The City Council announced Tuesday that bids will be sought for new polyethylene natural gas lines to replace old steel piping in the Baker Heights, Leland College and Morvant areas.

A community meeting will be held in City Hall at 6 p.m. Wednesday to discuss the project and how it may inconvenience residents by blocking streets and forcing detours, Mayor Harold Rideau said.

Other items included:

NEW MEMBER: Robert Young was seated on the council to replace Councilman Jimmy Pourciau, who resigned April 30.

Young was elected in a special runoff election April 21.

Other newly elected council members will be seated July 1.

WATER WELL: Kevin Gravois, of Professional Engineering Consultants Corp., Baton Rouge, announced the low bid of $1,155,700 for a new city water well was submitted by Layne Christensen Co., Prairieville. The council accepted the bid.

STREET OVERLAYS: Mike McGowan, affiliated with an independent engineering/road construction firm, said he continues to evaluate recently completed overlays.

A hold has been placed on the work until June so the warm weather can make the asphalt pliable enough for core samples to be taken, Gravois said.

ECTOR DRIVE: Blue tarps were placed on the residence at 13765 Ector Drive late last year, City Inspector Jack Gleason told the council. The tarps had not been there since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, as was reported to the council April 25 by a homeowners’ association official, he said.

American Home Mortgages has taken ownership of the house and Gleason is working with the company to resolve the issue. The house is to be repaired or demolished due to neglect, he said.

BUDGET REVIEWS: The council scheduled work sessions on the 2012-13 budget for 3 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Council members plan to review budgets for the Baker City Court, Prosecutor’s Office and City Council.