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Council authorizes Sunnyside Road Phase 3 contract, seeks federal authorization to start work
Summary
Council approved authorization to award Sunnyside Road Phase 3 to the low bidder and asked staff to pursue federal authorization so construction can begin this season; the project is funded partially with federal/state programs and carries an 80/20 split with a maximum federal contribution identified.
The Vermilion City Council approved action to move forward with Sunnyside Road Phase 3 after a bid opening produced a low bid substantially below the engineer—s estimate.
City Engineer Kurt Howard told the council two bids were received; the low bidder was Buckeye Excavating and Construction with a bid of $1,352,070 compared with the engineer—s estimate of $1,656,209. Howard asked council to consider passing ordinance 2025-20 by emergency so the city can forward the award package to the Ohio Department of Transportation for federal authorization — a step council must take before the contractor may start construction. "Once ODOT receives the award package, it takes approximately 2 to 3 weeks to receive federal authorization for the contractor to start construction," Howard said.
Administration described the funding split as an 80/20 state/federal arrangement with a maximum federal contribution listed in the materials as $1,003,491. Council discussed timing: several members supported emergency passage to avoid a multi-week delay this construction season; others asked for clarification on the schedule and financing.
Council then moved to adopt the emergency ordinance authorizing the contract to Buckeye Excavating and Construction, Inc. The measure passed on a roll call and will allow staff to submit the required federal authorization package to ODOT.
Why it matters: The Sunnyside Road Phase 3 project is a multi-million-dollar street reconstruction identified for this construction season. The federal authorization step is required for the contractor to mobilize; delaying action could push the work into a later season and raise costs.
Next steps: Administration will prepare and transmit the award package to ODOT and, contingent on federal authorization, issue the contract and schedule construction start dates. Council indicated it expects construction to begin once federal clearance arrives.
Ending: The council—s action authorizes the city—s acceptance of a low bid and starts the federal approval process needed to begin work this season.
