City reports single bid for snow removal; staff recommends Scharf Construction unit pricing

The city engineer (Matt) reported the city solicited proposals for snow and ice removal for the 2025–26 winter season and received a single responsive bid from Scharf Construction. Staff recommended awarding the work using Scharf’s unit rates while excluding the contractor’s flat seasonal rate because the unit pricing fit better with the city’s budget.

Using Scharf’s unit bid prices and the city’s lane‑mile estimates and estimated man‑hours, staff estimated an average cost of roughly $15,000 per winter event. Board members asked whether brine would be used; the engineer said brine pricing per application was disproportionately high (roughly $130,000 per application by his calculation), so the city would likely rely on salt instead.

Board members also asked about performance standards, the threshold for calling the contractor, and whether the item would be considered for one or two readings on the regular agenda. The engineer said performance standards are included in the contract, that staff can call the contractor at its discretion (e.g., temperatures below 32°F or visible snow on the ground), and that the contract will return on the regular agenda for formal action.