Minutes - Public Works Committee - 02/20/2001

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Mayor Gamec stated that he was also concerned with the large discrepancy between the bids. City Engineer Olson replied that he would contact the higher bidders to see if they could explain why their bids were so much higher. Councilmember Zimmerman stated that the City does not have all of its permits for the project and the City should not be bidding a project before the City owns the necessary land. Motion by Mayor Gamec, seconded by Councilmember Kurak, to recommend that the City Council reject all of the bids and re-bid this project next fall once all of the appropriate signatures are received. Further discussion: Councilmember Anderson stated that if the City extends the bid and then a change is needed on the project she felt it would put the City in a less bargaining position. Councilmember Hendriksen replied that if the City requests the contractor to extend the bid it gives the City the option to accept or reject the bid next year. Councilmember Anderson replied that there are to many "ifs" in the project. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that if the City accepts the bid contingent upon a negotiated agreement then the City can either accept or reject the bid. If the project is re-bid then the bids may be 25 percent higher next year. From a business standpoint he thinks it is a bad idea to reject a good bid for the unknown. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Kurak, Anderson, and Zimmerman. Voting No: Councilmember Hendriksen. Case #3: Elmcrest Park Concept Plan Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos stated that the recent history of Elmcrest Park began with its 1999 acquisition, naming, and the receipt of a $100,000 grant award in 2000 for soccer fields and other improvements. In December of 2000, City Council accepted the grant and designated an additional $262,000 in Park Trust Fund monies for the first phase of development. The Elmcrest Park Concept Plan Steering Committee met in January and February. The next scheduled meeting is March 1, 2001. The Committee is led by Mike Rolfe and Jill Johns with the following residents serving on the concept plan project; Joni and Neil Ballweber Margaret Connolly Jenny Duff Ron Hetland Rick Kocon Mike Max Rick Morris - RYAA Richard Quaal - RYAA Kathleen M. Sweet Howard ToMe Jim Way - Police Dept. At the February 1, 2001 meeting there was consensus on the general siting of the phase one improvements (staff is to prepare a plan for the March meeting) and on the immediate need to pursue an access on to Trunk Highway #47. The Elmcrest Committee was also in agreement with the access report on the preferred alignment. Mr. Boos presented the Public Works Public Works Committee/February 20, 2001 Page 5 of 12