Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Warwick to award $2.4 million contract for State Street pump station improvements
Summary
The city’s water division recommended awarding the State Street water pump station upgrade to Hart Engineering for $2,400,000 from budget code 84799, including a $50,000 utility-relocation allowance; the award proceeded on the council consent calendar.
Warwick public works staff asked the Finance Committee and city council to approve awarding a contract to Hart Engineering to complete upgrades at the State Street water pump station, a project budgeted from water enterprise account 84799.
The water division presentation described a $2,400,000 lump-sum award with a $50,000 utility-relocation allowance included in the bid forms to cover potential fees from utility providers. Christie Moretti, who identified herself as representing public works and the water division, said the project will be overseen by the division’s infrastructure program manager; if a contractor encounters an anomaly that increases cost beyond the award, the contractor must return to the city and the city would seek council approval for any increase.
Council members asked about vendor experience, what “Section O1020 – Allowances” in the bid package meant, and whether the city solicitor reviewed the contract language. Moretti explained the allowance covers specific utility relocation costs, that the lump-sum allowance is for bid comparison only and would be paid only for authorized work, and that the water division’s infrastructure manager and division chief will monitor costs. Council members asked that the city solicitor review a contract of this size going forward; Councilman Napa suggested staff have the attorney “breeze through” large contracts before award.
The item was placed on the council consent calendar and approved as part of the consent vote later in the meeting.
Why it matters: the award uses the water enterprise fund and represents a multi-million-dollar investment in pump station infrastructure that may affect rates and future capital planning. The committee discussion focused on project oversight, the scope of allowances and contingency control, and whether the solicitor should review contracts of this magnitude.
Next steps: the city will execute the award to Hart Engineering and the water division will manage the project under the oversight described; if work exceeds the awarded amount the contractor must return to the city and any increase would require council approval.
