Jackson County hears on-site concerns but advances $2.87 million Rock Island–Little Blue Trace trail contract to perfection

Jackson County Parks and Recreation told the county legislature on Sept. 8 that the county should move forward with a $2,870,540 contract to connect the Rock Island Trail and Little Blue Trace Trail, arguing state and federal funding deadlines require prompt action.

Michelle Newman, director of Jackson County Parks + Rec, and Richard Allen, superintendent of planning and development, explained that the project is largely funded through a MoDOT federal grant (federal project number TAP3453404) and that failing to get a contractor working before an October milestone could jeopardize the obligation and reimbursement of federal funds. The contract recommendation in the agenda was to award construction to Mega KC Corporation of Kansas City under an invitation-to-bid sequence described in the packet.

Legislator Abarca requested an on-site tour with the contractor and the project engineer and said a second engineer had suggested the contract’s proposed bank stabilization approach “will not last long.” Abarca and other legislators wanted assurance the project includes sufficient bank stabilization so the trail won’t slide into the creek bed. Newman said procurement rules prevented the contractor from meeting on-site while a bid recommendation was pending and offered engineering photos and documentation to address questions.

Newman said procurement returned two bids; the difference between the low bid and the higher competitor was primarily the bank stabilization line item. She said Parks staff and the project engineer had confidence in the recommended contractor’s approach and that Parks has built long-lasting trail projects in the past. Allen told the legislature the federal funds are “obligated” and indicated the contractor needs to begin work for the county to seek reimbursement through MoDOT and Federal Highway. He said the funding agency had requested the project be active by October.

Legislator Abarca also raised workforce and compliance concerns — including allegations of wage-theft and undocumented workers at recent projects — and said he was working with Parks and other staff to address them. Newman said she had not been told about those personnel issues within her team and welcomed follow-up.

After discussion, legislators moved to perfect the ordinance awarding the contract. The clerk recorded the perfection vote with several yes votes and two abstentions recorded earlier in the roll call for perfection; the body later placed Ordinance 6,004 on the consent agenda.

No final contract execution was recorded in the meeting minutes at adoption; the legislature advanced the ordinance to the consent agenda to proceed through the legislative process.