Overlay project gets green light to proceed
Marion County Commission approved a revised bid Monday for county road construction overlay projects on Old Mill Road south of Peabody and 190th Road.
At the meeting the previous week, bids were opened that were considerably higher than the engineer's estimates. The difference was attributed to the sudden increase of the cost of fuel and oil.
Three companies had submitted bids with the lowest being from Shilling Construction, Inc., of Manhattan, at $1,579,673. The engineer's estimate was $1,398,000.
Since last week's meeting, Mike Olson of Kirkham Michael and the county's consulting engineer, had negotiated with Shilling Construction in an effort to reduce the bid.
During Monday's meeting, Olson read a state statute that prohibits the approval of project bids that are higher than engineers' estimates.
He explained to the commission there were three options — reject all bids and solicit bids at a later date, reduce the quantities of materials for the project which would reduce the cost of the project to meet the engineer's estimate, or accept a proposal from Shilling Construction that would allow the company to produce a mix to include 20 percent recycled asphalt or "rap" at a cost of $1,375,000 for the project.
Typically, Kansas Department of Transportation uses rap as a base, not as a surface but it could be done, Olson said.
Olson said he was concerned about the third option.
"If we change the mix, other bidders may want to bid," Olson said.
The second option would eliminate a five percent contingency for rock and oil, reduce the overlay from two inches to one and three-quarters inches thick, and reduce oil content to 5.5 percent. The total cost with those reductions would be $1,356,000.
With the approval of the second option, Olson said he would present a contract and change order in two weeks to the commission.
In other department business:
— Road and bridge superintendent Jim Herzet presented revised information regarding a lease-purchase of two 2006 7600 International dump trucks.
He said he was checking the prices of less expensive truck beds. One of the dump trucks that will be replaced will be kept as a backup, the other will be sold. Herzet said he anticipated the truck to sell outright for $15,000-$18,000. The county was offered $12,000 for the truck as a trade-in.
Dallke suggested the county solicit county banks for interest rates for the agreement. County clerk Carol Maggard will follow-up.
It was also suggested Herzet contact other manufacturers for price quotes since only one company responded to the advertisement for bids.
— Dallke requested and received a five-minute executive session with Herzet. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
