Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Airport Construction Contracts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council defers decision on hangar-site development contract after members request more review
Summary
The Murfreesboro City Council deferred action on a $1.18 million apparent low bid for airport hangar-site development after at least one council member asked for more time to review bid materials and contractor history.
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The Murfreesboro City Council on Aug. 14 deferred action on awarding a contract for hangar-site development at the municipal airport after council members said they needed additional time to review bids and vet the apparent low bidder.
Council members were presented a recommendation that Hensley Civil LLC be awarded the contract after the city received five bids and staff and consulting engineers reviewed the submissions. The staff presentation said the apparent low bid totaled $1,180,000 and included a 5% city contingency and that funding would come from a transfer from the general fund to the airport fund.
Councilmembers repeatedly said they had not had time to review bidder qualifications and wanted to confirm the contractor’s prior city work, bonding and performance bonds. One councilmember said, “I missed this on the agenda… I would have done more research before we give out such a hefty contract,” and moved to defer the matter until the next meeting. The motion to defer was seconded and carried in a roll-call vote.
Why it matters: The project covers stormwater installation, utility extensions, and pad and taxiway elevations intended to prepare airport property for future development. Council members said they wanted to ensure the selected contractor had appropriate experience with city projects and bonding requirements before awarding a contract.
What happens next: Staff said the winning bidder had provided a bid bond and that payment and performance bonds were being requested; the contract was under legal review and today’s action was a notice of award. Councilmembers were advised they could review full bid packages and talk with staff — including airport and purchasing staff — before the council’s next meeting. Council discussion indicated the item will appear on the next meeting agenda for further consideration.
Details and context: Council members noted the apparent low bid was substantially lower than the second-place bid (a councilmember recalled the second bid was in the $1.4 million range). Staff said Barge (the city’s consultant) vetted bidders and performed reference checks. City staff offered to provide the full bid packages to council members.
No formal award was made at the Aug. 14 meeting.
