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Committee approves multiple contracts, airport DBE update, FAA agreement and Salvation Army ESG amendment
Summary
The Tuscaloosa City Projects Committee approved a package of minor public works contracts, a consultant agreement for Cypress Creek drainage design, an airport disadvantaged business enterprise update, a reimbursable agreement with the FAA, and a $5,000 reallocation inside a Salvation Army Emergency Solutions Grant contract.
The Tuscaloosa City Projects Committee voted to approve several contracts and program updates at its meeting, including a deductive change order on an outfall repair, several small public works contracts, a professional design services agreement for Cypress Creek, an updated disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) program for the Tuscaloosa National Airport, a reimbursable agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration for runway-extension design work, and an amendment reallocating $5,000 inside the Salvation Army’s 2023 Emergency Solutions Grant award.
Votes at a glance
- Item 2: Approved change order number 1 with Lavender Inc. for the Moody Swamp outfall line repair (deductive change order; reported as approximately $47,005.34 under contract). Outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Item 3: Approved minor public works contract with Robinson and Son Construction for cleaning and coating the basement at the Jerry Clot Water Treatment plant, total $45,000. Outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Item 4: Approved professional services contract with Different Associates for Cypress Creek drainage improvement project Phase 8 (Longview Road to U.S. 82), contract amount $153,145 and a project design timeline of nine months. Staff said the full project cost estimate from a 2021 study was roughly $1.2 million for a larger area; the committee approved the design contract and noted the work will include survey, easements, permits and traffic control planning. Outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Item 5: Authorized a contract renewal with Crowder Golf LLC for emergency debris removal, accepting a contract-indexed fee increase of 2.7% tied to the Consumer Price Index as allowed by the contract. Outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Item 6: Approved a minor public works contract with Tint World to apply window tint inside the VIP club at the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater; total $2,950, funded from the River District account for amphitheater repairs and supplies. Outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Item 7: Approved a minor public works contract with Straight Line Fence to replace about 70 feet of damaged fencing on Robert Cardinal Airport Road at Tuscaloosa National Airport; total $5,590. Outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Item 8: Adopted an updated Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program for Tuscaloosa National Airport to meet federal requirements for projects receiving FAA funding of $250,000 or more. Staff explained DBE goals are typically in the high single digits (about 8–9%), that the DBE designation follows federal definitions of disadvantaged businesses, and that veteran-owned firms are not automatically included in DBE status though other federal programs may offer preferences. Outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Item 9: Authorized a reimbursable agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration totaling $95,046.37 to fund FAA design work related to the airport’s primary runway extension; staff said the grant will reimburse the city. Outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Item 10: Authorized an amendment to the city’s agreement with the Salvation Army under the 2023 Emergency Solutions Grant (total award to Salvation Army $98,280) to move $5,000 from the homeless-prevention line item to rapid rehousing based on current needs. Staff clarified the difference between homeless prevention (which includes income requirements) and rapid rehousing (for those who are literally homeless and covers deposits, first month’s rent and case management). Outcome: approved by voice vote.
Why it matters: The approvals advance several small capital and maintenance projects, meet federal grant and procurement obligations for the airport, and reallocate ESG funds to address an immediate need for rapid rehousing support. Staff repeatedly emphasized these were contract or program adjustments and did not increase overall contract totals in several cases (for example, the Salvation Army award amount remains unchanged; the Lavender outfall change order was deductive).
Selected details and staff notes: For the Moody Swamp outfall repair (Item 2), staff said the work replaced sections of 48-inch reinforced concrete pipe with a double iron pipe and that the deductive change order was roughly $47,534 under the original contract price; funding reference in the discussion identified a bond account (referenced in transcript as a 20.22 B bond). For the Cypress Creek project (Item 4), staff said the 9-month consultant agreement will provide preliminary and final design, surveying, easement acquisition and permitting. For the airport DBE update (Item 8), staff said DBE participation percentages will be evaluated per project and included in federally-funded contracts.
Ending: Committee members approved all listed items by voice vote and moved to adjourn; the committee’s next meeting was announced for a Tuesday in February.
