Committee authorizes negotiations with Sheridan Construction for central kitchen; funding mix includes BRC, HUD and bonding

Economic development staff and business‑development specialist Brad Wall asked the committee to authorize negotiations with Sheridan Construction as construction manager for a proposed 18,000‑square‑foot central kitchen. Wall said the RFP attracted seven proposals and the selection committee scored Sheridan highest.

Staff requested permission to negotiate a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) with Sheridan; if negotiations align on price and design, the project would move to the finance committee to execute the construction contract. Funding sources discussed included $500,000 from the Northern Border Regional Commission and $1,000,000 from HUD, with the balance funded through previously authorized bonding.

A councilor pressed for updated financial projections and return‑on‑investment data; staff said they are working with a new consultant to revise earlier assumptions and will return with updated numbers. The committee then voted to authorize construction‑manager negotiations and will forward the item to the finance committee for contract execution and further council action.