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BIDS RECEIVED FOR ‘09 STREET PROJECTS LOWER COSTS FOR TWO VICTORIA NEIGHBORHOODS Bids for the 2009 street improvement projects came in lower than estimated for the Lions Park neighborhood and the Hartwood neighborhood. “There was a considerable amount of interest and competition,” said the city’s consulting engineer, Cara Geheren. “Over 36 companies pulled plans on the project. Twelve bids were received. The low bidder would like to start May 11th.” Bids ranged from $1.8 million to $2.3 million. The engineer’s estimate was $2.17 million. “The low bid was quite a bit lower than the estimate,” said Cara on April 27th. “Asphalt dropped in the last two weeks. The same with any line item having to do with fuel. There were also pipeline and concrete savings.” Low bid of $1,795,412 came from Minger Construction out of Chanhassen. Street assessments for residents at Lions Park had been estimated at $11,681. They went down to $9,896. Street assessments at Hartwood were estimated at $11,375. They went down to $10,352. There were other considerations since alternate bids were requested for paving and constructing the parking lots and trail improvements at Lions Park. Stated City Administrator Don Uram, “We looked at this as an opportunity to improve the aesthetics. The Lions have contributed significantly to the Park and this is the city’s opportunity.” But Councilmember Tim Amundsen had other thoughts. “Do you have any idea how many ball fields we could irrigate for $47,000? We could make significant improvements to the fields at the Field House. This project doesn’t pass the needs test for trail connectivity ... People walk for years on dirt trails. Why do we have to pave everything? It doesn’t pass the smell test.” “We have standards for our trails,” said Councilmember Jim Paulsen. Ann Mahnke, Director of Park and Rec, was called on to defend her recommendations. “I was tasked to jumpstart the process to make things happen,” she said. “The best way is to tag onto other projects.” Costs for small projects are lower when construction equipment and workers are already in the area on another larger city project. “We looked at the overall park plan,” continued Ann. “Those trails were identified by the Park Committee to be constructed. Lions Park was selected from the Master Plan. Trail connectivity was the number one priority to do as projects arose. They’ve recommended these projects move forward. Fees fund one-third of the cost and bonds for two-thirds. The mechanism was to tag onto other projects.” Agreed Coucilmember Paulsen, “This is the center of our city. This is a start. Why would we ask developers to build trails all these years in the hinterland and now it’s not going to happen because we have to pay for it?” Said Councilmember Kim Roden, “I was on the council when the Park Plan was done. I voted for the Plan. It’s consistent with other votes of mine. And it’s an opportunity to do something in the center of town. I’d like to see us do other things as well.” She added, “We’ve had our park money committed to fund something that’s been costing us money,” referring to the Field House, and now it’s an opportunity to improve other parts of the city. Her motion to accept low bids on the street improvement project, as well as pave the Lions Park trails and construct and pave the parking lot next to 81st Street passed 4-1, with Councilmember Amundsen casting the dissenting vote. The power lines will also be buried. Including the above projects, the contract to Minger Construction totals $1,908,249. Related sanitary sewer costs are paid 100% by the City of Victoria.
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