Ladue Council Member Takes Contractor to Task

The road project to rebuild the portion of Warson Road at Litzsinger Road in Ladue is 98 percent complete. The only work left is the striping. That's a good news-bad news situation.

Ward 3 Councilman Nancy Spewak lives near the project and expressed her unhappiness with the overall work of the contractor.

"There were far too many dropoffs. I'm surprised no one got hurt. They (Dura Seal of Barnhart, MO) tried to pave at night without even using lights. They used the headlights of their trucks to light their work. I don't know how they could see at night to even get the work done."

"They (the contractors) were not safety oriented. Their person who guided traffic was not even wearing reflective gear. I don't know how he didn't get hit."

Dennis Bible Ladue's public works director told his staff not to make final payment until deductions were made for poor quality controls.

There were change orders for some additional curb work associated with the project. Three neighbors agreed to pay the majority of the changes. The change order was for $39,920 with neighbors paying $29,543 and the city paying $4,100.89.

"Sometimes low bidders are not the best way to go," Mayor Anthony Bommarito said. "You get what you pay for."

City Attorney John Maupin clarified the policy, saying low bids are taken into consideration with their previous records of accurate performance.

In other business, Police Chief Rich Wooten reported that his department will have another "Drug Take Back" day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 29 at Williams Pharmacy, 9832 Clayton Rd. in Ladue. "People can bring in their prescription drugs and narcotics, no questions asked. We will dispose of these drugs with the help of the Environmental Protection Agency," he said.

By unanimous vote the council approved liquor license renewals for Schnucks Markets at 8867 Ladue Rd. and 10275 Clayton Rd. and Lester's at 9906 Clayton Rd.