Lorain County awards $923,757 contract for Lake Avenue sanitary extension after public safety concerns raised

The Lorain County Board of Commissioners voted to award a contract to Hula Construction of Castalia, Ohio, for $923,757 to install about 1,260 linear feet of 8-inch sanitary sewer on Lake Avenue, beginning at Northridge Road, with work to be completed on or before May 2025.

The award matters because it will extend sanitary service along Lake Avenue and is funded in part through a tax-increment financing agreement tied to the Carvana property; commissioners authorized work to begin upon execution of the contract and notification to the auditor to release retainage when the project is complete.

During public comment, resident Chuck Brookie asked the board to delay approval until the county verifies the contractor meets Lorain County—s responsible-bidding requirements, describing those as a safety program, state-accredited apprenticeship program and a drug-free program. Brookie said the Lake Avenue job is far deeper than a prior storm-sewer job the contractor performed and asked for extra scrutiny: "Hold off on approving item number 11 until the commissioners receive responsible bidding ordinances for the said contractor." (Chuck Brookie, public commenter.)

Commissioners reviewed the bid tabulation and discussed the margin between the low and subsequent bidders. One commissioner said the low bid was roughly 6% below the next bidders and that the county should confirm the contractor—s required programs before executing the contract. The board directed county staff and the engineer—s office to confirm compliance with the county—s responsible-bidding provisions and prevailing-wage monitoring prior to signing, rather than delay the award for weeks. "We have no reason to suspect that we're not appropriate, but let's just confirm because the issue's been raised," the commissioner said.

Staff confirmed prevailing-wage language is included in the bid documents for projects over the county threshold and that construction administration includes monitoring: contractors submit weekly certified payrolls and county staff do spot checks. The contract award follows a public bid opening on Dec. 19, 2024, when eight bids were opened and the low bidder was determined to be responsive to specifications.

The board moved and seconded the award; after discussion the motion carried and the contract was approved. Next steps are for the county to confirm the responsible-bidding documentation with the engineer's office and for the administrator to notify the auditor to release retainage at project completion.

Votes: approved (motion and second recorded; vote recorded as affirmative by commissioners present).