Wallsburg Town Council selects engineering firm to support CDBG application

Wallsburg Town Council met Jan. 6, 2025, to open and rate proposals from engineering firms and voted to select an engineering consultant to help prepare a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for upcoming capital improvement projects.

Council members and staff said four statements of qualifications were received from Meridian Engineering, CIVCO Engineering, Porox Engineers and Sunrise Engineering and were reviewed using an evaluation matrix created from the town's request-for-qualifications form. "The evaluation criteria matrix has been created that along the first column has the points that were indicated in the request for qualifications form," a staff member said during the meeting.

The matrix listed six evaluation items including firm name and address, staff size and workload, relevant municipal public-works experience, references of more than three clients, and identification of key personnel. Each submission was scored against those criteria; scores reported during the meeting were 20, 29, 25 and 34 points for the four submissions, respectively.

The council discussed the relative strengths of the respondents. Members noted that some firms were smaller and more local, which could mean greater responsiveness, while larger firms might bring more experience with CDBG-funded projects and county coordination. Council members repeatedly referenced the town's capital improvements project list'the stormwater plan and implementation, park bathroom remodels, and town-hall chamber and building remodel'as the projects the selected engineer would help to advance.

After discussion, a council member made a motion "to select, CIPCO engineering as our qualified civil engineer or firm from the submitted proposals to assist with our upcoming project for the CVG CDBG funding." Another council member seconded the motion. The council voted in favor (ayes recorded), and the motion carried.

The council directed staff to notify the selected firm and to send thank-you letters to the other proposers. Staff also said they would share the capital improvements list with CIVCO Engineering and ask what that firm could provide by the application deadline next Friday. The staff member who explained the scoring said the town reserves the right, per the RFQ, to reject any or all proposals and to waive irregularities in submissions.

The meeting concluded with the mayor or presiding officer noting the selection and stating that staff would follow up with the selected firm and absent members. The council adjourned at approximately 5:58 p.m.