Council rejects Prospector Park drainage bids as over budget; staff to re-scope and re-bid

Apache Junction — The City Council voted Dec. 17 to reject all bids for the Prospector Park Drainage Improvements project after staff said the lowest bid of seven responses was about $550,000, roughly $250,000 over a $300,000 budget.

Parks & Recreation Director Liz Langebach and Purchasing Administrator Sheryl Waskowitz briefed council on the project, which addresses erosion and sediment deposition affecting softball fields along a wash at Prospector Park. Langebach said staff and Public Works believe some scope elements — notably a substantial quantity of riprap intended to reinforce banks for rare, extreme storms — could be removed or deferred to reduce costs and that a re-bid with a pre-bid meeting should attract different pricing.

Council members pressed staff on consequences of removing items and whether previous curbing and other improvements already completed by the city might lower future bid prices. Langebach estimated the extra riprap accounted for approximately $150,000 of the overage and said many riprap items could be added later if needed.

Council then approved a motion to reject proposals for RFB PNRPP Drainage 2024-007 and directed staff to revisit scope and re-bid. The vote was unanimous.

Next steps: Staff will revise the design to reduce scope where feasible, hold a pre-bid meeting, reissue the RFB and return with results. Council emphasized balancing cost containment with doing necessary work to prevent erosion during major storms.