Finance committee approves Amy Bell Elementary overflow lot paving; one member votes no over procurement concerns

The finance committee voted to recommend the full Germantown School District Board of Education approve an asphalt paving and striping project for the overflow parking lot at Amy Bell Elementary.

Mr. Lord presented a contractor proposal from Johnson's and Sons Paving for grading, asphalt paving and marking of a 13,583-square-foot overflow lot. The project scope includes pavement markings painted with Wisconsin Department of Transportation marking paint and compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Staff projected tentative completion in October if approved.

A motion was made to recommend approval and to fund the project from Fund 41 (capital improvements). The committee approved the recommendation by voice vote. One committee member, Pollock, announced a planned “no” vote, saying the project was not scoped properly and no bid process was followed; Pollock said those procurement issues prevented support for the financial approval at this time.

Committee members and staff discussed potential modifications, including moving a secondary pedestrian entrance to align with the school entrance and whether the move would require additional work such as a culvert and signage. Mr. Lord said moving the pedestrian connection east to align with the school was possible and would likely add time and cost for a culvert, additional paving and signage. Staff said the district’s capital Fund 41 rolls over unspent money into future years and that the project could be moved to a later year if the board chose.

The committee approved the recommendation to proceed; the motion recorded no dollar amount in the transcript and committee members asked that further scoping and any additional costs be brought back to a future meeting.