Mona awards Newman Construction $257,000 contract for 200 North waterline replacement

The Mona City Council voted Sept. 9 to award Newman Construction the base bid for the 200 North waterline replacement project, with project funding authority extended to cover contingencies and related work from a CIB grant.

City staff presented the bid results and recommended Newman Construction after review. Dan (staff member) told the council there were 10 bids at opening; one bidder was disqualified for not attending a pre-bid meeting and another (HydroVac) failed to include two addenda and therefore might be noncompliant. Newman was the third-lowest bidder but met the bid requirements and has prior experience on similar mainline installs, Dan said, and is ready to begin work immediately if awarded.

The staff recommendation listed a Newman base bid of $257,000 and asked council to authorize the contract with contingency authority tied to the remaining balance of the Community Impact Board (CIB) grant. Staff said the available remaining balance associated with the CIB funding was approximately $311,310, which would cover change orders and contingency work, including possible meter and meter‐setter replacements.

Why it matters: the project replaces an aging water main, stubs new connections at 100 West for future hookups, installs a hydrant at the southeast corner of the work area, and is intended to reduce galvanized and copper service lines by installing new poly service lines and updated meter setters. Staff emphasized a tight schedule: asphalt needs to be in place by Oct. 15.

Bidding and contractor choice: Dan explained HydroVac (lowest on price prior to disqualification) did not include required addenda and therefore lacked a guaranteed final price; the next compliant experienced bidder was Newman. Dan said Newman’s experience with mainline installs and readiness to mobilize were reasons for the recommendation.

Funding and scope clarifications: staff said the project funding originally came from a CIB grant and that CIB rules specify project purposes. Staff recommended awarding Newman’s base bid and keeping contract authority up to the $311,310 remaining balance to cover change orders, meter setters, and other items that may arise. Staff noted an estimated $54,000 would remain as contingency after award and that could, if allowable by CIB, cover meter setters and meter cans so the city would not need to pay those from the general budget.

Council action: a motion to accept and approve the Newman Construction bid was made and seconded. The motion as recorded in the minutes quoted the amount as "$257,100,000"; staff earlier and in materials referenced a base bid of $257,000 and recommended authorization up to $311,310. The minutes record the motion as passed.

Next steps and contract conditions: staff provided a printed notice of award form for signatures; the notice gives Newman two weeks to provide required bonds and insurance and then the city will issue a formal notice to proceed once contract documents and insurance are in order.

Speakers quoted in the meeting and attribution: Dan (staff member) presented the bid summary and recommendation; council members asked clarification questions about schedule, use of contingency for meter setters, and CIB allowance for scope changes.

Ending: With the award, staff said they could potentially mobilize this week and begin the waterline work, subject to receipt of bonds, insurance and final contract documents.