Minutes - 2006/01/09 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mounds View City Council January 9, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 4 . staff was directed to look at other options including the use of colleges to do the construction and prefab buildings. He advised that the Park and Recreation Commission researched those options and contacted many colleges to see if there was interest in constructing the building. Two groups expressed interest in helping the City in this aspect. Public Works Director Lee explained that when working with the two entities it was determined that while both schools could construct the building, there are a lot of aspects they cannot do like demolition, grading, setting trusses, final grading, steel doors and frames, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, etc. Public Works Director Lee advised that in discussion with the schools, staff came to the conclusion that the City would need to hire a general contractor to do a building replacement project. The City could go out for bids and take the lowest bidder or could hire a general contractor and contractors for the individual components. He pointed that St. Paul Technical College only does stick construction and to convert the plans to stick construction would cost $9,000 to $10,000. Public Works Director Lee advised that Dakota Technical College does masonry projects and staff is still working with them. Staff recommends the City go out for bids on the project and include specs that the Dakota Technical College would be used by the contractor for free labor on the masonry part of the project. He noted that may result in lower bids and the general contractor may or may not use them depending on whether the schedules work. Public Works Director Lee stated staff recommends rebidding the project and to embark on an informational campaign to get the project information to smaller contractors. • Councilmember Stigney asked if the bids will be received or opened on February 21, 2006. Public Works Director Lee stated they will be both received and opened on that date at the Community Center. Councilmember Flaherty asked if the same plans can be rebid with added value engineering included so the contractors know the City will listen to their ideas for cost savings. Public Works Director Lee stated that is a good suggestion and advised that staff is working with one contractor who does metal buildings. Councilmember Flaherty stated he is unsure of the liability or bonding issues when using a technical school and student labor. Mayor Marty asked if they would operate under the City's liability insurance. Public Works Director Lee stated that is correct and there may be other issues when students work with contractors, such as with the plumbing contractor since the plumbing is in the walls. Councilmember Gunn stated her support to consider the use of free student labor and indicated that she hopes it will result in a "plus/plus" situation where students gain experience in working with a contractor, and the bids are lower. Mayor Marty stated his support to get the word out to smaller contractors. Public Works Director Lee stated since June of last year staff has compiled a list of contractors who indicated • an interest in bidding on this project.