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Merrillville council approves $2.24 million Community Crossings contract; town to cover local match
Summary
The Town of Merrillville approved a $2,244,976.99 bid to Milestone for Community Crossings road work and moved a related annual paving award; council and staff clarified that INDOT will cover part of the cost and the town must provide the local match.
The Town of Merrillville Town Council voted unanimously Feb. 11 to contract Milestone for Community Crossings road work, approving a $2,244,976.99 bid and authorizing the council president to sign the agreement.
The bid award followed a presentation from Steve King of the street department, who told the council that two bidders responded to the Community Crossings solicitation: Reath Riley Construction at $2,286,174.28 and Milestone at $2,244,976.99. Town Manager Joe Griffin and staff said Milestone was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
The decision matters because the town is participating in INDOT’s Community Crossings matching grant program. Griffin said the town’s final obligation depends on how much INDOT awards, but the town’s share is expected to be roughly $1.2 million; INDOT’s available contribution was described as up to $1.5 million. Griffin told the council the grant requires a dollar-for-dollar match, meaning the town will fund the remainder of the contract not covered by INDOT.
Council members discussed related bidding and contracting steps for the annual paving agreement and the role of the engineering consultant BF&S (referred to in the meeting as Butler, Furman and Cypher/BF&S). King and Griffin clarified that Milestone has been the successful bidder for the community crossings projects and that prior contract work with Milestone and consultant review supports the award.
Motion and vote: Councilman Sean Pettit moved to approve the Community Crossings agreement and authorize the council president’s signature; Councilwoman Uslak seconded. The roll call vote recorded seven in favor and none opposed.
The council also took a second, related motion to find the lowest, most responsive and responsible bidder for the paving work; discussion in the meeting included overlapping references to BF&S and to Milestone as contractor. Staff said the project estimate and the approved INDOT participation must now be signed and executed.
Next steps include executing the contract and completing the paperwork required by INDOT so the town can access its matching funds and schedule the paving work.
