Oak Ridge North city staff and engineers will meet on Wednesday with at least five contractors for a pre-bid meeting to discuss the installation of new groundwater storage tanks for the city's water supply.

Oak Ridge North City Manager Vicky Rudy said staff will meet with at least five contractors regarding the project before heading to the site to show the contractors the location. She said bids for the project will be due at least a week from Wednesday and a recommendation will be brought to the council for approval at the Jan. 28 meeting.

She said the current water storage tanks are over 40 years old and are badly in need of replacement.

"It's essential to have water and water's essential for life," she said.

The base bid includes the installation of 32-foot tall tanks, while alternate bids will be received for 24-foot tanks and several other possible additions to the project, Rudy said. About $3.1 million has been budgeted for the project in the 2013 budget.

City Engineer Ed Shackelford said the contracts could be completed in two weeks following the council's approval of contractor. He said it would take 60 – 90 days for submittals and the installation of the groundwater storage tanks could begin in May.

Oak Ridge North's Comprehensive Planning Advisory Committee will hold a meeting Jan. 17 to discuss the city's comprehensive plan, which will address the city's public spaces, a freeway commercial strategy and economic development.

Rudy said task force meetings with residents will be held February to discuss various areas of the plan. She said she expects to make a lot of headway in February and for the task forces to have an early draft by late February or early March. The council could have a plan in place in April or May, Rudy said.