Parma Heights council awards $117,000 demolition contract for NEO Soccer site and approves $169,900 bucket truck purchase

Parma Heights City Council on Jan. 23 voted to award the demolition contract for the NEO Soccer site to Bauman Contracting and approved an emergency purchase of a bucket truck for the Service Department.

Dan Bender, who presented the bids to council, said Bauman Contracting submitted the lowest bid at $117,000 — about 69% below the engineer’s estimate — and recommended awarding the work to that firm. "Bauman has done work with us before and I'm here tonight to recommend that they be awarded the contract," Bender said. Councilman Stavole moved to accept Bauman Enterprises Inc. as the winning bidder and to release the bid bonds from the unsuccessful bidders; the motion passed by roll call. Aye: DeSouza, Durichko, Walsh, Stavole, Haase, Maruschak, Rounds. Nay: none.

City officials said the demolition will be funded by a Cuyahoga County grant. Director Sepik told council the city must send a letter to the EPA before the contract is fully awarded; once authorized, the contractor should be able to start work about two weeks later. Mayor Marie Gallo said city leaders expect work to begin in late February or early March and that the building "has to be down by May," adding that the contractor is aware of the time constraints.

Finance Director Iaconis confirmed the Cuyahoga County grant is the funding source for the project. The council’s award included a request to release bid bonds for the unsuccessful bidders; Bender noted six contractors submitted bids and Bauman’s was the lowest.

Separately, council approved Resolution No. 2023-5, authorizing the administration to buy one 2023 Ford F-550 diesel 4x4 bucket truck from The Safety Company (doing business as MTECH Company) at the state purchase price of $169,900. Councilman Haase moved, Councilwoman DeSouza seconded suspension of the rules and passage; the resolution passed by unanimous roll call vote.

Service Director Sepik earlier reported that the department has been replenishing salt supplies, has a new dump truck in the garage being outfitted, and that authorization for a bucket truck had been requested; council’s passage of the resolution will allow that purchase to proceed.

Council also completed a second reading of several ordinances, including one authorizing conveyance of property to the Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation and an amendment to automotive-use regulations (both read by title only), and scheduled follow-up items such as a re-bid for the Nathan Hale project. The council swore in Michael Juggler to the Recreation Commission during the meeting.

Next steps: the city will send the EPA the required documentation before finalizing the demolition award and expects Bauman to be able to begin work within roughly two weeks of authorization; the bucket truck purchase will proceed under the passed resolution.