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Commission directs remaining ARPA funds to parking-ramp electrical repairs and camera upgrades
Summary
County staff proposed reallocating $185,094 in remaining ARPA funds toward parking-ramp electrical repairs, associated change orders and higher-resolution security cameras; commissioners approved the allocation and asked staff to write a public scope for bid.
Grand Forks County commissioners on Dec. 17, 2024, authorized the use of remaining ARPA funds to address electrical work and camera upgrades for the county parking ramp.
Staff described a disputed electrical change order that originally totaled $156,000 for work not in the project’s original scope. The county’s retained engineer estimated roughly $75,000 of necessary electrical work and staff described a modest additional set of repairs and temporary fixes that have been performed to restore third-floor lighting. Staff proposed combining the needed electrical work and a $40,000 camera upgrade (to improve resolution and eliminate blind spots and permit license-plate reading) under the ramp project and using the $185,094 in remaining ARPA allocation to fund the public bid and contract work.
Commissioner discussion supported using the remaining ARPA allocation for the ramp project. One commissioner noted the $156,000 change order seemed high and that the engineer’s estimate of about $75,000 was more reasonable; staff also recommended adding a modest allowance for related work. The board moved and approved directing the ARPA funds to the parking-ramp work and camera upgrades, and staff said they will work with the county engineer to prepare a scope for public bid advertisement.
Why it matters: The county must allocate remaining ARPA funds or return them; using the funds for the ramp repairs and security upgrades addresses deferred infrastructure needs and improves public safety and asset preservation.
What was approved: The board approved redirecting $185,094 of ARPA funds toward necessary electrical repairs identified on the parking-ramp project and toward planned camera upgrades; staff will publish a public-bid scope and proceed with procurement under project management protocols.
Officials and staff quoted: Staff summarized the electrical change-order dispute and said the retained engineer estimated about $75,000 of necessary electrical work; staff also described roughly $40,000 for camera upgrades to improve resolution and coverage.
Next steps: County staff will draft a scope of work, advertise the project for public bid and return to the commission as required by procurement rules and project-code governance.
