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Idaho Falls awards $1.09 million contract to install 240 commercial water meters; federal grant expected to cover up to half
Summary
The council approved a $1,090,239 contract with 3 H Construction LLC to install 240 commercial meter boxes citywide; staff said roughly half the project is expected to be covered by a Bureau of Reclamation grant that staff believe remains available.
The Idaho Falls City Council on Thursday approved plans and awarded a $1,090,239 construction contract to 3 H Construction LLC to install 240 commercial water meters across the city.
Public Works Director Chris Frederickson told council that bids were opened on Feb. 27 and the city received a single responsive bid from 3 H Construction. He said the project is intended to install 240 commercial meters, and that roughly half of the funding would come from a Bureau of Reclamation grant. Frederickson said the city has confirmed with grant administrators that, to their knowledge, the grant funds remain available; nonetheless the city has sufficient alternative funding to proceed if the grant were not ultimately awarded.
Councilors asked about the lower-than-estimate landscaping and surface-restoration costs included in the bid. Frederickson said the landscaping/surface restoration work refers to repairs within public rights-of-way and easements to restore surfaces to their prior condition after construction. He said the low bid — about $400,000 below the engineer’s estimate in aggregate — was reviewed and judged acceptable by staff.
Councilor Francis moved to approve the plans and specifications and award the contract; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all present council members voting in favor.
The contract authorization includes authority for the mayor and city clerk to execute the necessary documents. Staff listed the Bureau of Reclamation grant as an anticipated funding source, but said the city will proceed even if federal funding is not received so the project can advance.
The project was described as a conservation measure: city staff and council noted that metering commercial accounts typically reduces usage, and the council said the highest commercial users have been prioritized for earlier installs.
