Wastewater plant bids coming in as city keeps operating through COVID-19

FONTANELLE — Fontanelle City Clerk Amanda Held said city operations are going along uninterrupted through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Held said that though City Hall has been closed since early on in the pandemic, city employees have still been able to serve customers through contactless means.

“In those ways, I think we’re doing good. We have the drop box, we take payment over the phone,” Held said. “For the public, I think we’re able to be good there.”

The fire station, community center and park equipment remain off limits to the public for now and Held said the city council will likely follow suit from neighboring communities on when to open those facilities back up.

Held stated that the last council meeting was held over the phone and many major discussion items were tabled until they can be discussed in person.

Fontanelle’s new wastewater treatment plant, which went out for bids last week to potential contractors, is expected to begin construction later this summer or this fall. Held said much of the discussion at meetings has revolved around this as the city works with its engineers from HR Green.

“When all those bids come in at the end of May, our public hearing will be next month to approve the bid for a contractor,” Held said.

Held said she’s excited for city facilities to open to the public again, but she also wants the public to be responsible and healthy whenever the reopening occurs.

“I’m struggling here in the office. I miss my customers. I don’t get to hear all their stories for the month and I’m going crazy in here,” Held said. “I want people in Fontanelle to be healthy and be able to come in and see us. I’m ready to get back to normal and enjoy the summer.”