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now would ensure that the project is done early in the spring but noted that the project could be <br /> rebid in January and the work could still begin in early spring. <br /> City Administrator Ulrich stated that a large window was bid to allow the contractor flexibility, <br /> which is where the best bid prices are usually gained. He believed that the project could be rebid <br /> but then could end up in the similar situation as the last case where people know what <br /> competitors are going to price. He believed that the Council should accept this bid. <br /> Councilmember LeTourneau stated that if the bids are rejected that would tell the contractor that <br /> the City does want to do the work but is not interested in paying that much money. He stated <br /> that if there is seasonality involved in the pricing, that still has not been answered. He stated that <br /> the project will disrupt the flow of the use, regardless of the time of year that the project is <br /> completed because the park is constantly busy. <br /> Councilmember Williams referenced the timing of the future improvements and asked if the <br /> Council should consider the timing of the future improvements in addition to the seasonality. <br /> Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood explained that if the comments are <br /> regarding the trail connection, the City would first need to find a willing property owner. He <br /> appreciated the staff of City Engineer Westby in designing the plans, noting that the plan for the <br /> parking is better than he envisioned noting that when they are able to go out in an exit it will not <br /> be a big investment. He believed this to be a very good plan. <br /> City Administrator Ulrich stated that if the Council believes this is too much for the project, that <br /> would be reasonable to say that this is too much. He stated that the bids are fairly close together <br /> and therefore an accurate representation of the project cost. <br /> Councilmember LeTourneau appreciated the comment that the bids are close together, which <br /> means that this is market value. He stated that he would be more comfortable if the seasonality <br /> question had been answered. <br /> Councilmember Riley stated that there are a lot of things that go into a project and seasonality <br /> would be one of those aspects. He noted that the only person that was off on the bid was the City <br /> Engineer. He noted that recently the City Engineer's estimate has been high and therefore it <br /> would lead him to think that perhaps the estimate is off from the engineer. <br /> Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated that this project will solve a <br /> lot of the parking problems at the park site. He noted that during the off season there will be <br /> work done, which would not be done should the project be delayed. He noted that the planning <br /> and some construction could be completed this fall and during the winter season and would help <br /> prevent delays in the spring. He noted that the placeholder in the CIP was $350,000 and <br /> therefore this is a good value. <br /> Mayor Strommen stated that because there was a long timeline provided, the City did not force <br /> the seasonality issue. She noted that the seven bids were tightly clustered and therefore she <br /> believes it to be an accurate representation of the market costs. <br /> City Council /October 11, 2016 <br /> Page 9 of 10 <br />