Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Traffic Calming topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
El Mirage council rejects $145,350 speed‑cushion contract after members question price and bids
Summary
After questioning a single bid and high striping costs, the council voted to reject a $145,350 contract to install two speed cushions and associated striping on El Mirage Road and directed staff to seek new bids or amend the proposal.
Mayor Harmacio and council members debated a proposed award of $145,350 to DBA Construction to install two speed cushions on El Mirage Road between N Street and Santa Fe Lane and to perform related striping and signage.
Public Works staff (Jorge) said the proposal meets the city’s speed‑cushion guidelines—local/collector classification, posted speed ≤30 mph, 85th‑percentile speeds at least 5 mph over the limit and average daily traffic of 400+—and recommended two cushions plus striping around a nearby roundabout. Council members pressed for detail on scope and price: Council member Norton McDaniel said the figure appeared disproportionate (compared with earlier projects that cost substantially less) and asked why only one bid was received. Public Works explained the price includes thermoplastic striping and signage and that some detailed striping work would require a contractor while routine thermoplastic could be applied in‑house.
After procedural motions to table the item failed, McDaniel made a motion to reject the award as presented; the motion passed on a council vote, with council indicating they would reissue the solicitation or return with an amended contract for comparison.
Council directed staff to seek additional bids or revise the scope to separate contractor work from in‑house work so the city can obtain comparable estimates before re‑awarding the project.
The council’s rejection means the traffic‑calming improvements will be revisited at a later meeting; no contract was awarded at this session.
