Library skylight replacement proposal postponed so staff can seek additional bids

The Commission on Feb. 6 postponed action on a proposal to remove and replace large skylights at the Clovis Carver Public Library and asked staff to obtain additional subcontractor bids before awarding the work.

Why it matters: The library roof and the skylight work are part of an ongoing reroof project. The proposal on the table cited a product similar to the material used on the Aquatic Center and included a shop-drawing and fabrication lead times (five to six weeks for shop drawings and approximately 18 weeks for fabrication). Staff stated the available proposal was approximately $178,329.18 for the skylight work, with about $145,000 tied directly to the skylight product.

Staff explanation and commissioners' questions: Public-works staff explained that the existing skylight material is not a common residential acrylic product and that the large sheets used on the library present differing fabrication constraints; staff said alternate acrylic-type solutions would require more framing channels and could be less durable and more likely to leak. Commissioner Casaus requested additional bids, saying the per-skylight price (about $23,000 each for a 12-by-12-foot unit, per discussion) merited further competition. Staff confirmed they would ask WWRC whether it has used other subs for this material and would solicit additional quotes and report back at the next meeting.

Action taken: Commission unanimously postponed the skylight award to the second meeting in February and directed staff to obtain additional subcontractor quotes before returning with a recommendation.

Ending: Staff noted long lead times for fabrication and said they would aim to return to the Commission at the Feb. 20 meeting with alternative bids.