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Council approves emergency contract to start Liberty Avenue waterline replacement
Summary
The Vermilion City Council voted to adopt an emergency ordinance authorizing a contract with RA Holdings Excavating Inc. for the Liberty Avenue waterline replacement (Phase 4) not to exceed $833,095.75, citing a April 15 completion target and a $325,000 ODWC grant to offset cost.
The Vermilion City Council voted Feb. 9 to adopt an emergency ordinance authorizing the mayor and finance director to execute a contract with RA Holdings Excavating Inc. of Monroeville, Ohio, to replace the Liberty Avenue waterline (Phase 4) for an amount not to exceed $833,095.75.
City Engineer Russ Howard told the council the project drew two bids and the low bid of $833,095.75 includes a $75,000 construction contingency; the engineer's estimate was $893,265 (also with a $75,000 contingency). Howard asked the council to consider emergency passage so construction and associated paving work could be completed without delaying businesses, with a substantial completion date of April 15, 2026.
Council members discussed funding and schedule during the hearing. Howard confirmed the city received an Ohio Department of Water and Conservation (ODWC) grant of $325,000 to support the project, and said the remaining funds would come from the water fund (not the general fund). Several members said they wanted to ensure paving and restoration can be finished after the waterline installation and that directional drilling under the river would minimize business disruption.
After a motion to suspend the rules and consider the ordinance on first reading, the roll call vote carried and the council adopted the contract by emergency to allow work to proceed immediately.
The ordinance declares the emergency based on construction schedule constraints and business impacts if the work were delayed 30 days; the city engineer reiterated the April 15 paving and restoration deadline. The council recorded the motion as carried on roll call; the transcript shows one abstention by a council member during a related roll call and the motion ultimately carried.
The council also presented a second-reading ordinance (2026-5) to supplement Bramhall Engineering & Surveying for construction observation and contract administration related to this project, authorizing up to $44,400 for additional services; council voted to suspend the rules to consider that ordinance on second reading.
The project timeline requires coordinated restoration work and weather-sensitive paving; the engineer cautioned that plantings and final surface work are contingent on appropriate weather. The council flagged follow-up on funding breakdowns and restoration scheduling as next steps.
