Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Works Signage topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
MEDC discusses wayfinding sign project after vendor bid far exceeds budget; board orders pursuit of additional bids
Summary
Staff reported an initial wayfinding sign proposal of about $1.17 million that a vendor said could be trimmed to roughly $900,000; the board directed staff to seek competitive bids and consider government-vetted procurement options to reduce cost and speed delivery.
MEDC staff provided an update July 15 on the downtown wayfinding sign project and the board discussed procurement and budget options after receiving a high initial estimate. Staff reported the vendor’s invoice and breakdown totaled about $1,171,000 but said the vendor indicated the project could likely be reduced to about $900,000 without losing product quality.
Board members said the figure was substantially higher than earlier estimates and directed staff to solicit additional bids and investigate government-vetted purchasing programs to speed procurement. Several members recommended getting multiple competitive quotes, including locally available vendors that have produced municipal signage, so the board can compare apples-to-apples scopes.
Members discussed timing and process. Staff described possible procurement paths: (1) competitive bidding that would require a 30-day advertisement period and time to evaluate responses, and (2) using an already-vetted government vendor list to speed selection. Board members noted that three quotes would likely be needed for council authorization and that any selected vendor would then require a resolution, two council readings and a 60-day waiting period before execution.
Budget considerations came into the discussion: one member noted a target or internal budget figure of approximately $500,000 and said that the higher quotes “choked” the proposed budget. The board asked staff to (1) obtain at least two additional bids (ideally three), (2) confirm that proposed vendor designs meet any required approvals (county or state approvals referenced in the record), and (3) return with bid comparisons and a recommended procurement route at a future meeting. Staff and members said they hoped a decision could be reached within the next month if competitive bids are received promptly.
