10/27/09 Special Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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HRA BUSINESS Case #1: Award Contract for Professional Services for Wetland Mitigation in Ramsey Town Center Public Works Director Olson reviewed the staff report. Chairperson Dehen stated he was inclined to go with the best value, but if URS did the original work, the argument would be that URS would be the lowest bidder because URS had the original work. He asked why URS was not the lowest bidder. Public Works Director Olson noted Hakanson was the lowest in the amount of experience their project team had. He stated this could be a complicated wetland project plan and he was concerned that if the HRA went with best value, Hakanson would not have the experience the City needed. Chairperson Dehen stated if Hakanson underestimated their proposal, that was Hakanson's issue, and why not let Hakanson try, unless there was some detriment to the City. Public Works Director Olson responded there was a risk as to what the TEC panel said and if Hakanson did not have the expertise to follow through properly that would be a detriment. Commissioner Elvig stated staff had done a good job and from staff's expertise, they have been able to rank everything and he trusted staff s recommendation. Chairperson Dehen stated he was not an advocate for always taking the lowest bid, but in this case, it was a local business that has been around for some time and he did not see an issue in giving this to the lowest bidder. Commissioner McGlone stated staff had done a lot of due diligence in preparing this and it was the Council's responsibility to take the lowest responsible bidder. Motion by Commissioner McGlone, seconded by Commissioner Ramsey, to enter into a contract with URS for the preparation of a revised wetland mitigation replacement plan for RTC. Further discussion: Commissioner Look asked if the staff could negotiate with URS regarding their bid. Public Works Director Olson asked if staff was not successful in the negotiations with URS, would it be the desire of the HRA to proceed with the Hakanson bid. The HRA's consensus was to go with the Hakanson bid. Commissioner Look asked what level of jeopardy the City would be in using one company over the other. Public Works Director Olson noted Hakanson had recently hired a member of the past TEC panel, but URS was very familiar with this process. He indicated the project URS worked on previously was not the same as it had been and most of the plans would have to be significantly modified. City Administrator Ulrich stated the HRA could make the motion subject to the approval of the City Attorney. The HRA agreed with City Administrator Ulrich's recommendation. Housing and Redevelopment Authority /October 27, 2009 Page 2 of 4