Council mulls city landfill expansion

Springfield City Council last night held a first reading on a proposal to expand the Queen City’s landfill to the tune of $1.9 million.

Director of Environmental Services Steve Meyer presented a bill that would authorize Phase II of a multiphase development plan for the sanitary landfill 13 miles north of Springfield. The expansion would include installing primary and secondary liner systems, protective filter fabrics and rain coverage to control stormwater.

Jefferson City-based Twehous Excavating Co. Inc. submitted the low bid of $1.7 million for the project. The only other bidder was Poplar Bluff-based Young’s General Contracting Inc., which offered to conduct the project for $2.1 million, according to documents provided by the city.

The total project budget is $1.9 million, which includes material purchases, soil screening and engineering services.

“We permit the landfill a little space at a time. The construction project will provide three to four years of (additional) disposal service for the Springfield sanitary landfill,” Meyer said in a follow-up interview this morning.

He deferred further questions to Springfield Solid Waste Superintendent Erick Roberts, who could not be reached for comment by deadline.

Council members are scheduled to vote on the expansion proposal May 29.  

Last night, Ollis/Akers/Arney CEO Richard Ollis also was sworn in as General Seat D councilman after being selected last week for the spot left vacant by Ken McClure’s election as mayor.