Dayton approves $2.26 million contract for Clayton water well

The Dayton City Council approved a contract award for the Clayton Water Well project to Wasinger Incorporated on a motion that passed by voice vote.

The award letter and bid tabulation showed Wasinger Incorporated as the low responsive bidder at $2,255,245, well below the project's budgeted amount of $3,520,150. Jeff Levins of Lead Engineering, who presented the bids, said, "Wasinger Incorporated was the low bid for $2,255,245," adding that all three bidders were reputable and produced competitive prices.

The contract package includes alternates the city opted to accept, including drilling a slightly larger diameter well to protect future capacity if casing repairs are needed, and a temporary construction sound wall for nearby residences while drilling and well development proceed. Levins described splitting work into multiple bid packages for site work, piping and pumps to avoid a general-contractor markup and save the city money.

Council discussed schedule and protections: the contract uses working days and the contractor estimated 210 working days to complete the turnkey well, which Lead Engineering estimated would translate to roughly 10 to 11 months depending on weather and construction conditions. Council members were told the city may assess liquidated damages of $500 per day if the contractor fails to perform.

City staff said the project will include constructing a water line from the well to the groundwater storage and checking or replacing pumps as needed before the well is placed into service. The goal is to bring the well online, fill the Clayton tank and push water to the system near the end of construction.

The council authorized the city manager to negotiate and the mayor to execute the contract with Wasinger Incorporated. No roll-call vote tally was recorded in the minutes; the motion passed on a voice vote.