HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.05.2008• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
June 5, 2008
8:00 a.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Pro Tem Reggie Schmitt, Cole, Hart, Greenwood, Steve Schmitt,
Welper.
Members absent: Getty.
Moved by Welper, seconded by Greenwood that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Six. Absent: Getty. Motion carried.
Mayor Pro Tem Reggie Schmitt reviewed items on the Standing Committee agendas, for
meetings scheduled for Monday, June 9, 2008.
Mayor Pro Tem Reggie Schmitt reviewed items on the council agenda for Monday, June 9, 2008,
and the following items were discussed.
Mayor Pro Tem Reggie Schmitt explained that the change order for the Dam Rehabilitation and
Riverwall Construction Project, Contract No. 721, is due to voids under the dam, and it was
necessary to change the type of grout injected into the voids.
Mayor Pro Tem Reggie Schmitt explained that the agreement with FEMA to certify the levy
system is necessary or otherwise homeowners could be required to purchase flood insurance.
Steve Decker, Superintendent of Streets reported that the bid for rock salt is $20.00 per ton
higher than last year's bid.
Councilperson Steve Schmitt noted that he received a voice message from another vendor for the
Lafayette Park Electrical Project, who was concerned that the low bidder, Sieben Electric, did
not have a bid bond with their bid. Pete Burke, Black Hawk County Attorney, throws out any
bids received without a bid bond per Iowa Code.
Councilperson Hart now absent at 8:10 a.m.
Dave Zellhoefer, Assistant City Attorney, explained that Sieben Electric made an honest mistake
forgetting to include the bid bond with the bid. Early on Tuesday morning, they dropped off the
bid bond at the City Clerk's office. Mr. Zellhoefer noted council has discretion and can make
the decision to accept the bid bond. He noted there is about $7,000.00 difference between
Sieben and the next low bidder, Scott's Electric.
Councilperson Steve Schmitt stated he feels we need to follow state code requiring the bid bond
to be submitted with the bid document. He doesn't want to pay $7,000.00 more, but feels rules
are rules, and if we wiggle on this one do we wiggle on the next one.
Mr. Zellhoefer noted council has the discretion/power to override that rule. Mr. Zellhoefer stated
this is a contractual mistake.
Councilperson Cole suggested that legal department investigate state law.
Councilperson Cole absent at 8:17 a.m.
Councilperson Steve Schmitt asked about the cost to dredge the Cedar River rather than doing
the Change Order. Eric Thorson, City Engineer, responded, he feels it would cost millions of
dollars compared to what is being done through the change order. Mr. Thorson stated it would
cost about $4 to $5 per cubic yards to dredge the Cedar River and there are millions of cubic
yards of dirt.
Council Work Session
June 5, 2008
Page 2
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Mayor Pro Tem Reggie Schmitt noted that if the city stops the dam project, we would have to
return money to Vision Iowa, the Grout Museum and the City of Cedar Falls as completion of
the dam is part of the agreement with Vision Iowa.
Doug Schendel of Earth Tech reported the original bid was about $5.6 million, with dam project
about $2.5 million.
Councilperson Greenwood asked as responsible bidders, shouldn't they have known about this
problem. Mr. Thorson responded that we used the Army Corps of Engineers records, and after
the contract was let we found out the quality of rock was different. Councilperson Greenwood
asked what was the next responsible bid, and Mr. Schendel responded it was almost $1 million
difference.
Councilperson Greenwood asked for the studies on the core samples and the next lowest bid.
Mr. Thorson stated that with dredging there are a lot of environmental issues, and after dredging
it just silts back in. With the new bladder, the dam can be raised in the spring and lowered in the
fall.
Councilperson Steve Schmitt stated that the chairperson of the Planning and Zoning Commission
was not aware there was an attendance problem with the commission. Mayor Pro Tem Reggie
Schmitt noted that Councilperson Hart was a member of the commission and is aware of the
attendance problem, and noted that not all members were in attendance at this month's meeting.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Welper, seconded by Greenwood
that the meeting be adjourned at 8:23 a.m. Ayes: Five. Absent: Hart, Cole. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk