Council discusses sprinkler installation scope; directs public bid process

Mount Pleasant staff presented a special‑projects proposal to install an irrigation/sprinkler system in a city park. The presentation included a parts list, labor estimate, and a materials subtotal that staff said totaled $57,000 for parts ordered from Mountain Land, plus labor and other costs.

Staff said they had prepared a scope of work to accompany a bid and recommended soliciting external bids rather than solely using in‑house crews. Councilmembers expressed concern about discussing dollar amounts publicly before advertising the work for bid and emphasized the need to solicit competitive proposals.

The council directed staff to put the work out to bid with a two‑week turnaround and to gather at least two additional contractor bids to compare with the in‑house estimate. Councilmembers noted the materials already purchased should be accounted for when evaluating labor‑only bids and asked for a list of missing or additional parts so bids would be comparable.

Staff said they would arrange a bid opening and return the bids to council at the next regular meeting two weeks hence. Council members also discussed on‑site constraints, the complexity of the two‑wire system specified, and the need for contractor oversight to prevent misuse of city‑purchased parts.