Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Prescott Council Approves Bid For More Debris Removal

Getting the debris cleaned up took longer than anyone expected, so the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) extended its deadline for the second time.

In so doing, FEMA also agreed to pick up the tab for debris removal.

Because of this, the Prescott City Council was able to seek bids to get the debris removed along the right-of-way from the water treatment plant to the Little Missouri River.

In a special meeting, held Tuesday, May 1, the council accepted a bid from McKinnon Trucking for the debris removal.

Two bids had been submitted, with D&J Enterprises, Inc., of Auburn, Ala., the company cleaning up the county's debris, turning in a bid of $60,000.

McKinnon Trucking, represented by Terry Don McKinnon, submitted a bid of $51,000.

The removal area is a 10-mile stretch from the river to the city.

According to Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor, FEMA extended its deadline until sometime in June.

The additional time will be needed, he said, as parts of the right-of-way are still underwater, from the spring rains.

The resolution presented to the council will require changes being made, as it had the wrong amount for the cleanup. The resolution had the cleanup bid at $51, instead of $51,000. It was also in the wrong name, having McKinnon's name on it instead of McKinnon Trucking.

McKinnon, in addressing the council, said the only problem he sees at this time is being able to get equipment in some places because of the standing water and wet ground.

In places, he said, the debris will have to be pushed back by hand to clear the right-of-way.

Along with the water problems, McKinnon will have to get permission from property owners along the right-of-way to cross their land in places.

Taylor said had he known FEMA was going to extend its deadline, the city would have extended its as well and got more debris picked up.