MONROE - Two tie votes on accepting bids for the 2008 new sidewalk installation and for the 16th Avenue utilities replacement project needed Board of Public Works President Keith Ingwell's vote to get to City Council for consideration.
Aldermen Mark Coplien (Ward 3) and Thurston Hanson (Ward 7) voted against accepting a bid from Rock Solid Concrete in the amount of $59,812.50 for new sidewalks.
Engineering Supervisor Al Gerber said the bid was lower than the estimated cost sent out in assessment letters to property owners. The bid includes all sidewalks scheduled for installation this year.
In the past, Coplien and Hanson have been opponents of the city's ordinance on requiring sidewalks and assessing property owners.
Ingwell said he voted yes, "to get it to council."
Hanson and Charles Schuringa (Ward 10) voted against accepting a bid from Iowa Grant in the amount of $176,159.28 for the 16th Avenue utilities replacement project.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Jerry Ellefson said Iowa Grant was one of four bids submitted and the city has not used the company before. The bids included replacing the sanitary sewer main, laterals and the street base.
Schuringa said he was "not comfortable" with the low bid, which is $75,000 less than the next lowest.
"Cheap isn't always the best," he said.
City Administrator Mark Vahlsing said the work is "more tightly regulated" than other projects.
On two other votes, bids for 2008 curb and gutter construction and on recommending to council approval of the final resolution for 2008 street construction, Hanson also voted no.
The board voted 3-1 to recommend the council accept the bid and award a contract to Schultz Construction in the amount of $33,812 for 2008 curb and gutter construction.
The Board also voted 3-1 to recommend to council to approve the final resolution for 2008 street construction.
Gerber told the board that no changes have been made to the proposed street construction plans since the 16th Avenue public information meeting on April 23.
Vahlsing said the bid numbers are competitive, and asked that the board move ahead and deal with the assessment later. If there are any changes to be made, they can be taken up at the next council meeting today at 6:35 p.m.
Hanson's ward includes 16th Avenue which is scheduled for a complete reconstruction this year, including the sanitary and storm sewer systems, street reconstruction and sidewalk and driveway replacements. A estimated total of $42,857 is being assessed to 23 property owners along the 600 and 700 blocks of 16th Avenue. A public hearing is set for today at 7:30 p.m. before the council's final vote on the final resolution for 2008 street construction.
Aldermen Mark Coplien (Ward 3) and Thurston Hanson (Ward 7) voted against accepting a bid from Rock Solid Concrete in the amount of $59,812.50 for new sidewalks.
Engineering Supervisor Al Gerber said the bid was lower than the estimated cost sent out in assessment letters to property owners. The bid includes all sidewalks scheduled for installation this year.
In the past, Coplien and Hanson have been opponents of the city's ordinance on requiring sidewalks and assessing property owners.
Ingwell said he voted yes, "to get it to council."
Hanson and Charles Schuringa (Ward 10) voted against accepting a bid from Iowa Grant in the amount of $176,159.28 for the 16th Avenue utilities replacement project.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Jerry Ellefson said Iowa Grant was one of four bids submitted and the city has not used the company before. The bids included replacing the sanitary sewer main, laterals and the street base.
Schuringa said he was "not comfortable" with the low bid, which is $75,000 less than the next lowest.
"Cheap isn't always the best," he said.
City Administrator Mark Vahlsing said the work is "more tightly regulated" than other projects.
On two other votes, bids for 2008 curb and gutter construction and on recommending to council approval of the final resolution for 2008 street construction, Hanson also voted no.
The board voted 3-1 to recommend the council accept the bid and award a contract to Schultz Construction in the amount of $33,812 for 2008 curb and gutter construction.
The Board also voted 3-1 to recommend to council to approve the final resolution for 2008 street construction.
Gerber told the board that no changes have been made to the proposed street construction plans since the 16th Avenue public information meeting on April 23.
Vahlsing said the bid numbers are competitive, and asked that the board move ahead and deal with the assessment later. If there are any changes to be made, they can be taken up at the next council meeting today at 6:35 p.m.
Hanson's ward includes 16th Avenue which is scheduled for a complete reconstruction this year, including the sanitary and storm sewer systems, street reconstruction and sidewalk and driveway replacements. A estimated total of $42,857 is being assessed to 23 property owners along the 600 and 700 blocks of 16th Avenue. A public hearing is set for today at 7:30 p.m. before the council's final vote on the final resolution for 2008 street construction.