Centerville awards $252,900 parking-lot expansion contract; staff says freeway work will not affect existing lot

The Centerville City Council approved a bid award to Dobe Construction for the Community Park parking lot expansion project in the amount of $252,900.33. Council action followed a staff presentation describing a competitive bidding climate and reference checks for the recommended contractor.

City staff told the council they received a larger-than-usual number of bids this season and recommended the low bidder after contacting references. Staff acknowledged the contractor has done more private work than government work but reported that references said they would hire the contractor again and described the firm as cooperative on contract modifications and change orders.

Council members raised concerns about why the recommended bid was markedly lower than others. Staff described the pricing as a result of cost savings the contractor appears to have found and said they had checked references and felt comfortable recommending the award despite limited prior city experience.

The presentation also included information on a state or regional freeway alignment project near the park. Staff said the freeway alignment will likely affect the park strip and require moving the sidewalk back and widening a shared-use path, but the existing parking lot itself should not be impacted. Staff described planned frontage improvements as an 8-foot-wide sidewalk with a 4-foot buffer (park strip) and curb-and-gutter along the frontage road. The council discussed reimbursement if city infrastructure in the work area is impacted.

A motion to approve the bid award to Dobe Construction for $252,900.33 was moved and seconded and carried with affirmative votes from council members present.

Staff noted follow-up items: finalize the contract, complete reference checks in writing, and coordinate with the agency responsible for the freeway alignment on possible impacts and reimbursement for any affected infrastructure.