County staff asks commissioners to approve fence installation and engineer study for Bald Eagle Valley Trail

Clinton County staff on Monday asked the Board of Commissioners to approve two contract awards for work on the Bald Eagle Valley Trail: a low bid of $3,900 to Lakeview Fencing for installation of about 800 feet of split-rail fencing on Phase 2, and a $9,500 contract to engineering firm Stifler McGrath to perform structural analysis of three single-span bridges for Phase 3.

"The lowest bid was from Lakeview Fencing, for $3,900. We'd like permission to award that and get that project started," said Gibson, a county staff member who presented the items to commissioners. Gibson said the fencing will run along a stretch of trail between Castaneda and Wayne Township near U.S. 220 where a previous rain-driven slide removed vegetation and left steep drop-offs.

Gibson described the fence as a split-rail style installed for safety and aesthetics and said the county will purchase materials separately. "They do the installation. We're actually purchasing the materials. We already have a PO set aside through the hotel tax fund," Gibson said, estimating the total project "all in" at about $17,000.

On Phase 3, Gibson said the county received three proposals for engineering services and recommended awarding a $9,500 contract to Stifler McGrath to perform structural analysis for the three single-span bridges in the section now in design. Gibson described the bridge work as part of the next design phase for the trail.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about fence location and installer. One commissioner asked specifically where the fencing would be placed; Gibson described it as the stretch "right before the Wayne Township–Castaneda border under 220," and said the fencing would also be placed near other drop-offs and pit holes.

The presentation notes and staff remarks indicated available funding through a purchase order and the hotel tax fund; Gibson said installation labor is included in Lakeview Fencing's price and materials will be purchased by the county. The transcript does not record a formal motion or roll-call vote on either award.

Background: The Bald Eagle Valley Trail work described is split into phases. Phase 2 discussion focused on a short safety fence installation after erosion; Phase 3 discussion focused on design and structural analysis of small bridge spans needed to advance that phase's construction documents.

Next steps: Staff asked the board for permission to proceed with the recommended awards; the transcript records commissioners' questions and expressions of thanks but does not record a formal approval or recorded vote.