Minutes - Public Works Committee - 07/16/2001

Home

City Engineer Jankowski stated that on September 7, 2000, the city received bids on the project, which was awarded, to Forest Lake Contracting, Inc. in the amount of $716,399.48. This amount was $86,000 below the engineer's estimate at the time of the bid. The project is approximately 75 percent completed at this time with the grading and the modular block walls having been completed. The quantity of modular block used in constructing the structural retaining and turtle protection walls was 64 percent higher than the bid quantity. The discrepancy has been attributed to the fact that the engineers calculations considered only the block above grade in the bid quantities, but the specifications state that payment is based upon all block used, both above and below grade. The cost overage in bid quantity is $59,130. In addition, the current MnDOT specification for modular block was changed since the time the specifications were originally prepared. A higher strength block is now required since problems were experienced with the lower strength block crumbling in a number of installations. The higher strength block was used in the installation. The contractor is asking for a $1.00 per square foot increase in payment for the higher strength block. This would relate to an increase of $11,225. Finally, a safety railing needs to be placed along the top wall where the drop exceeds a certain height, generally 3.5 to 4.0 feet. One portion of the retaining wall near Armstrong Boulevard is nearly 11 feet high. The railing was not included in the project quantities. There are several options for providing railing. The most attractive m~d longest service life would be black wrought iron at a cost between $40 and $50 per foot. A higher maintenance alternative might be heavy gauge chain link, which has a cost range of between $9 and $15 per foot. The anticipated cost of the fence based upon the above unit prices would be between $10,000 to $50,000, however, the recommended alternative would be closer to the upper end of the range. A change order needs to be prepared detailing the necessary charges with regard to these issues. Several issues and decisions need to be addressed before the change order can be prepared. Staff is investigating negotiating a change in the unit bid prices. Pay estimate No. 3 has been submitted for payment at the Council meeting on July 24, 2001. This pay estimate includes the actual quantity of modular block wall installed at the bid unit price. Partial payment estimate No. 3 should be approved as presented. Sufficient retainage is available should a lower unit cost be negotiated. Councilmember Zimmerman inquired as to the funding source. City Engineer Jankowski replied that all of the items are MSA eligible. Councihnember Anderson inquired if the specifications for the project were correct. City Engineer Jankowski replied that the specifications were prepared in 1995 and put on the shelf for a couple of years so some things had changed. Councihnember Anderson inquired if somebody failed to estimate the project correctly. City Engineer Jankowski replied that they were given a list of quantities to bid on. Councihnember Anderson inquired if the specifications were wrong. City Engineer Jankowski replied yes. Public Works Committee/July 16, 2001 Page 8 of 13