Council awards phase 1 contract for Sandy Smith Park to Strong Excavation

Grantsville City Council voted Sept. 17 to award the phase 1 construction contract for Sandy Smith Park to Strong Excavation, staff said, advancing work that city officials said must precede an American Ramp Company contract for a pump track area.

City staff told the council the city received seven bids and recommended Strong Excavation because it was the lowest responsive bidder and checked references, Christie, a city parks staff member, said. The council then approved Resolution 2025-71 to award the contract; a motion and second were recorded and the mayor called the vote. “Motion carries,” the clerk announced.

Staff described the base scope for phase 1 as demolition, clearing, grubbing and removal; staking and layout; traffic control; excavation; electrical conduit and stubs for future lighting; concrete site work and paving; base course for parking and drives; irrigation downstream of the point of connection; artificial turf surrounding bike-park elements; landscaping (trees, shrubs, turf grass, rock mulch). Staff also provided a list of bid alternates that were not included in the base award: restroom, baseball fencing/backstop, dugouts, concrete retaining walls, and a one-year landscape/irrigation maintenance option that staff estimated at $25,500.

Council members asked several questions about schedule and coordination. Staff said American Ramp Company planned to start its portion in spring and that the park-phase contractor must coordinate with that contractor; staff agreed to add a timetable requirement to the contract before signing. A council member suggested preserving bid alternates and asked that the city reserve an option to accept alternates for a limited period (3–6 months) at the bidder’s original price; staff agreed to include language that alternates could be held for a definable period and to cap any later increase as a percentage if beyond that period.

Funding for the park’s phases was discussed in broad terms. Staff said the city expects to use park impact fees, grants (including federal and state recreation grants and a Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant for the pump track), and bonds. Staff said one portion of the project would be paid from a bond issue and that, as presented in the meeting, approximately $2,000,000 of bond proceeds would be applied to this phase while the overall bond package totaled $5,000,000. Staff cautioned that change orders and phased construction make precise totals subject to later adjustment.

A council member moved to approve Resolution 2025-71 awarding the contract for City Slopes/Sandy Smith Park phase 1 to Strong Excavation; another council member seconded the motion. After brief additional questions about inspection and project management, the council voted in favor. No roll-call tally by name was recorded in the meeting minutes provided.

Staff said the city will monitor change orders closely, ensure project management and inspection oversight, and report back to council on timing relative to the American Ramp Company contract.