[ back ]
Second bidder eyed for Chardon sewer project
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - January 07, 2009)
Second bidder eyed for Chardon sewer project
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Chardon City Council's water and sewer committee recommended last week that the second-lowest bidder on a Wilson Mills Road sanitary-sewer project be considered after the low bidder walked off the job last year.
The committee, composed of Councilmen Philip King and Jefferey Campbell Jr., voted to begin negotiations with Longo Construction, of South Euclid. The issue will go before City Council for consideration.
Longo Construction had bid $460,000 for the sewer project at the start of the year. Its bid was about $170,000 higher than the bid submitted by Northeast Ohio Trenching Services, of Warrensville Heights, which offered to complete the work for $287,210.
Northeast Ohio Trenching was awarded the contract last January and began the work in March but walked off the job after about two weeks. The company complained that the plans provided for the sewer installation were different from the actual conditions it encountered. Company President George Gorup wrote that contract documents failed to note that it would be boring through bedrock.
In October, council settled its claim with Northeast Ohio Trenching, agreeing to pay $120,000, although the city engineer's estimate for work completed was $50,000.
Chardon Law Director James Gillette, who advised the committee last week, said there are advantages to seeking negotiations with Longo Construction rather than rebidding the project.
He said the city holds an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency permit for the work. He said rebidding the project would force the city to reapply for the permit, further delaying the start of work.
In addition, Mr. Gillette said, the city is awaiting the completion of the sewer installation before repaving the road. He said rebidding would likely further delay repaving, possibly until next year.
City Manager David Lelko agreed, saying anyone who drives the road knows that it's deteriorating. "We've got to get that thing repaved," he said. "It wouldn't make it through another winter."
Mr. King said he has one concern with not rebidding the project. The purpose of rebidding is to get the most competitive pricing for work, he said. Some companies that did not bid the first time the city offered the work may want to bid now, considering the economic climate, he said.
Mr. King questioned whether some companies would have a legitimate claim against the city for not rebidding the work.
Mr. Gillette said the issue has been discussed, and the city could justify its decision not to rebid. He said the EPA permit and the need for repaving could be used to support the city's case.
City Finance Director Jeffrey Smock said the decision could lead to complaints from the approximately 20 property owners along Wilson Mills Road who will pay assessments based on construction costs. He said some residents may complain that the city lost an opportunity to get a better price by rebidding.
Mr. Campbell said he believes residents would want the city to get the project done, because most have been waiting the entire year for the work.
City Engineer Douglas Courtney said he believes the second-highest bid for the work is closer to what the actual cost will be. He said he believes the company could work off the current plans and get it done.
He said he would discuss the project with Longo Construction representatives to determine whether the price previously offered would still work a year later. If an agreement is not reached, he said, the city still has the option of rebidding.
Although committee members discussed trying to hurry the matter to council in January, even offering to hold a special meeting, Mr. Gillette said officials' concern should be doing what's best for the city.
"His goal won't be to get it in a week," Mr. Gillette said of the city engineer. "His goal will be to get the best price for the city."
[ back ]
