Chester to advertise Public Works garage bid as council debates responsible-contractor ordinance

City of Chester council on April 21 authorized city staff to prepare specifications and advertise on PenBid for a multi‑prime contract to build a Public Works garage, a salt shed and a parking canopy to be funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, amid questions from council members about a pending responsible‑contractor ordinance.

The resolution before council—identified in the meeting as Resolution 58—would advertise four separate prime contracts: general contractor, electrical, plumbing and HVAC/fire protection. A city staff member told council the contracts are being bid at prevailing‑wage rates even though ARPA funding “does not require a federal, Davis‑Bacon prevailing wage,” because the city intends to require prevailing wages in the bid package.

That staff member said the city is operating under tight timing: staff expect a 40‑ to 45‑day bid period, a likely notice to proceed in September at the earliest, and a 14‑ to 15‑month construction schedule. “This ARPA funding needs to be spent by December 30, 2026,” the staff member said, and staff warned that delays in advertising could make it difficult to complete work within the spending deadline.

Several council members asked whether a responsible‑contractor ordinance (RCO) — which would set local contractor responsibility standards — should be passed before the city advertises the project. The solicitor and staff told council members they do not believe the city could draft, pass and implement an RCO in time to affect the current bid timetable. The solicitor advised that the bidding authorization could proceed while the RCO is discussed separately.

Councilwoman Gibson Williams and other members asked for more discussion and recommended meetings to resolve outstanding questions about the RCO. Council members and staff agreed to schedule further talks with the receiver’s team and other stakeholders to understand why the RCO had previously been pulled from the agenda and what revisions, if any, would be needed before adoption. The mayor and staff said Mr. Santana was asked to set up a committee meeting to continue those discussions.

What the resolution would do: it authorizes the appropriate city official to prepare and advertise bid specifications on PenBid for the multi‑prime construction contracts; the resolution does not itself award contracts or set contract terms. The transcript contains no formal recorded vote on Resolution 58.