Board approves $9,500 contingency cap for Asher concrete handicap ramp at Garish entrance

The Southgate Community School District Board of Education approved installing an ADA-compliant concrete ramp at Door 6 (the adult and community education entrance) at the Garish/Asher facility, with a recommended contractor estimate not to exceed $9,500.

Jason Hardy presented the recommendation and said the work is intended to make Door 6 accessible for adult education and community education attendees; he described the site as a secondary entrance near receiving and the baseball field. Hardy said the existing threshold has a six-inch step and the proposed ramp will be roughly 13 feet long and 8 feet wide with rebar tied into the building to prevent heaving. He explained winter curing measures (calcium chloride and heat blankets) and said that although the cost is slightly higher than the district’s locked-in five-year pricing because of winter conditions, the work can be performed in the next two weeks if contractor availability allows.

Hardy identified the contractor as Royal Cement and said the base bid is $8,500 with a $1,000 contingency for a not-to-exceed amount of $9,500. He said the district has used Royal Cement previously and that the contractor is familiar with ADA requirements. Board members asked about handrails and site layout; Hardy said a handrail is not required for the short six-inch height and described the ramp's required landing and separation from the parking lot to avoid plow damage. He also noted other access points exist while work cures.

A motion to approve purchase of the Asher concrete handicap ramp as presented was made by Dr. Pomponio, supported by Mr. Cooper, and approved by voice vote. The transcript records the contractor estimate and scheduling details in the presentation; the board did not assign additional reporting requirements during the meeting.