Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Franklin council delays $13.48M Robinson Lake Dam contract after cost concerns
Summary
The Board deferred a $13,482,000 construction contract award for the Robinson Lake Dam and asked staff for an itemized cost briefing; the deferral passed 7–1 and board members requested alternatives and more financial detail.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of Franklin on Jan. 28 voted to defer awarding a $13,482,000 construction contract for the Robinson Lake Dam, asking staff to provide a detailed, itemized cost breakdown and options for less-costly alternatives.
The deferral followed an extended discussion in which several aldermen said they supported the park project in principle but wanted more information on long-term costs, grant availability and whether a stream-restoration alternative might be less expensive. A motion to defer the award until the Feb. 25 meeting passed 7–1, with Alderman Blanton recorded as the lone no vote.
Why it matters: The contract represents a large capital expenditure in a year when the board is overseeing multiple big projects. Members pressed staff about contingency costs tied to wetlands, potential grants for stream restoration, and recurring maintenance such as dredging for regional lakes.
City staff said the bid of $13,482,000 was the low responsive bid and that previous grant pursuit had yielded limited interest for dam/embankment projects; staff noted stream-restoration grants may be available but typically require removing embankments rather than constructing them. Staff also said the bidder agreed to extend the bid period; staff suggested the board could receive an interim briefing at the Feb. 11 work session and take a final vote Feb. 25.
Board members repeatedly asked for an itemized accounting of what the contract covers and for estimates of recurring maintenance such as periodic dredging. Several aldermen said they wanted to compare the current lake-based design against a possible stream-restoration approach, recognizing that a different design would require remaster planning and public process. Staff said they could prepare cost and scope comparisons and provide a check-in on Feb. 11 and a decision on Feb. 25.
What’s next: The board deferred formal action to the Feb. 25 meeting and directed staff to present an itemized scope and cost overview and to brief the board during the Feb. 11 work session.
