Fairfax council adopts street-resurfacing contract and three ordinances, discusses 9.9% health‑insurance renewal

The Village of Fairfax council moved forward on multiple official actions, awarding a street‑resurfacing contract and adopting three ordinances during the session.

Administrator Jenny reported that five bids were received for the 2020 residential street project. Tim King, the village engineer, reviewed bids and recommended awarding the base bid (which includes the concrete option for Arrow Pointe Way) to JK Muir Construction at $329,012.50. Jenny told council that accepting the concrete base bid is preferred because it better withstands the heavy weight of fuel tankers that enter and exit Speedway; the asphalt option would reduce the low bid by roughly $43,000 (bringing the low bid to $285,937.50 if the asphalt alternative were selected). She noted the low bid was about $81,000 below the engineer's estimate and the spread from low to high bids was roughly $26,500.

Council voted to suspend the three readings for Ordinance No. 17‑20‑20 and then adopted the ordinance by roll call, formally awarding the contract to JK Muir Construction.

On old business the council completed third and final readings and adopted three additional ordinances: Ordinance No. 11‑20‑20 (approving a Village of Fairfax residential PACE program plan in cooperation with the Ohio Energy Special Improvement District and the Toledo‑Lucas County Port Authority, authorizing the port authority to approve petitions and assess costs), Ordinance No. 12‑20‑20 (providing for employment of legal counsel), and Ordinance No. 13‑20‑20 (amending section 70.37 of the traffic code to prohibit driving while under suspension). Each ordinance was adopted by roll call during the meeting.

Jenny also reported a UnitedHealthcare medical insurance renewal with a 9.9% increase effective Aug. 1, which she estimated would add about $10,703 to the year's budget; she suggested the finance committee meet quickly (by May 26) if council wanted to change plans. Council agreed to set a finance committee meeting for Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. to review the renewal and related options.

Quote highlights: "The low bid was received by JK Muir Construction in the amount of $329,012.50," — Jenny (administrator reporting bid results). "The asphalt option would lower that total bid by another $43,000," — Jenny (on the asphalt alternative). "Our overall increase for this year...is a 9.9 increase this year...this will amount to a $10,703 increase," — Jenny (on the UnitedHealthcare renewal).

Next steps: the awarded contractor will be notified; the finance committee will meet to review the insurance renewal and any potential plan changes.