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Council presses OCP and DWSD on contractor responsibility as $2 million sidewalk contract returns for review
Summary
Committee reviewed a $2,000,875 sidewalk replacement contract and questioned whether demolition contractors had fulfilled sidewalk-replacement obligations; OCP said funds were withheld from contractors and the city established a contract to complete replacements where necessary, and OCP confirmed bonds may be required for contracts over $25,000.
Council members discussed a proposed sidewalk-replacement contract (contract number 6006862) that would fund sidewalk work after demolition-related damage. Member Mary Waters pressed the administration on contractor responsibility and whether prior demolition contractors had been held to their obligations to replace damaged sidewalks.
Tony Limit, deputy chief procurement officer, said the city requires bonds for construction contracts over $25,000 and that OCP would confirm the specific bond documents; later in the meeting OCP confirmed a bond amount of $2,800,000 associated with major contracting for the item. Group executives explained the city has withheld set-aside funds from demolition contracts (roughly $2,500 per contract) to cover site finalization and sidewalk replacement when contractors failed to complete that work.
"Prior to proposal N, the contractors were not responsible for repairing damaged sidewalks," a group executive said; under Proposal N the city added contractor obligations to repair damage, but resource and material shortages and logistic issues have meant the department sometimes uses withheld funds and city contracts to complete remaining work.
The committee moved to send the item to formal without recommendation to allow staff time to provide location lists, confirm bond documents and ensure the agenda paperwork is correct.
The committee did not approve the contract at this meeting; members requested follow-up documentation and a clearer reconciliation of withheld funds and planned city replacements.
