Council awards $380,000 elevator contract for CDBG building, subject to funding amendment

The City of Mission council approved awarding a construction contract to RDZ Group for installation of an elevator at the city’s CDBG building at 1301 East Eighth Street, authorizing $380,000 for the work with the award contingent on approval of a budget amendment by the funding authority.

Council packet and bids: Staff said four bids were opened for the elevator installation and recommended RDZ Group as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder meeting specifications. The staff presentation identified the contract amount as $380,000 and indicated the project is to be reimbursed by a third-party fund through a reimbursement agreement.

Funding condition: Staff asked the council to request that the funding authority amend its budget to increase its contribution to cover the full award; staff said the award is “subject to the approval of the budget amendment” by that funding entity. During the meeting one speaker asked for executive-session discussion with the city attorney and city manager; the council recessed to executive session and later returned to the public meeting to vote.

Council action: After executive session the council voted to award the contract to RDZ Group in the amount of $380,000, with the award explicitly subject to the approval of the funding amendment. The vote passed by the recorded majority in open session.

Why it matters: The elevator installation will alter access and usage of an adjacent city building the staff intends to house city operations; staff said the elevator project has been re-bid several times and was previously above budget, and that the city will seek reimbursement from the identified funding partner if that partner approves a budget amendment.