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Canton asks two engineering firms for scoped flood‑resiliency proposals after split vote
Summary
After debate over scope and timing, the Canton City Commission voted to request cost proposals from both ISG and HDR/JSA for a hydraulic and hydrology (H&H) flood‑resiliency study so the firms can propose work scopes and identify grant funding before the city commits to a contract.
The Canton City Commission on a split vote moved away from single‑firm selection and authorized two engineering teams to submit scoped cost proposals for a hydraulic and hydrology (H&H) flood‑resiliency and economic recovery study.
The selection committee had initially identified ISG as the consultant to conduct the study, but a motion to approve ISG “subject to final contract and funds secured” failed on a roll call after commissioners raised concerns about cost transparency and whether other firms had been allowed to propose. Commissioners and members of the public queried whether the process was premature because ISG had not submitted a priced proposal.
Myron, representing an HDR/JSA team that also submitted a statement of interest, said his team had provided preliminary budget numbers and emphasized local experience: “we're all local,” he told the commission. He offered to provide a scoped cost once the commission defined the project tasks.
Commissioners said they wanted a clear scope before firms price the work and noted upcoming grant‑application deadlines. One commissioner framed the choice as a practical matter: bring firms in, tell them what is needed, let them return with proposals and cost estimates, and then decide whether to accept one or seek other options.
On the final motion the commission authorized both ISG and the HDR/JSA team to submit proposals based on a scope the commission will define, directing staff to convene a special meeting to finalize scope items before the application deadlines. Commissioners discussed including flooding problems on North Cedar Street, West Road, South Ridge and downtown segments so that any FEMA or state grant applications would address the most pressing areas.
What happens next: the commission expects to produce a scope of work within roughly two weeks and asked firms to return detailed proposals and cost estimates in time for staff to prepare grant applications before the stated deadlines.
