By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – The St. John Parish Council on Tuesday will vote to open bids and authorize contracts on several public works and improvement projects throughout the parish.

After the council rejected earlier bids in January because of non-compliance with bid laws, the administration is proposing a reopening of bids for improvements to the Reserve boat launch.

Joey Murray, lead architect on the project, told the council in January that early proposals did not include a bid form needed to comply with state construction bid laws. Murray said without that form in place, federal funds cannot be used to pay for the project.

“The parish has secured about $180,000 in grants for the project,” Murray said. “We can re-open bids (at a later date) and produce greater savings to the parish.”

Former Parish President Bill Hubbard proposed the boat launch improvements in March 2009 as a way to revitalize the frequently used recreational spot. The plan includes a repaved parking lot, improved lighting, picnic tables and landscaping. Total estimated cost of the project stands at about $500,000.

The administration will also ask the council to open bids for replacement membranes for the parish’s “reverse osmosis” filtering system in LaPlace.

St. John acting Chief Administrative Officer Buddy Boe said the membranes, which filter contaminates out of the parish’s east bank tap water system, need to be replaced monthly. He said the parish chose to bid the purchase so they could stockpile membranes for the long term.

The council is also set to authorize a contract for an evaluation survey of the parish’s sewer system. The project, which calls for smoke testing and closed circuit camera work to check for leaks, is part of a $15 million sewer bond the parish secured in December.

The council meets Tuesday evening at the Percy Hebert Building, 1801 W. Airline Highway, starting at 5:45 p.m.