Public works recommends $133,885 contract for City Hall roof replacement after hail damage

Public Works Director Hans Mercer recommended the city accept the low qualified bid of $133,885 from Dave Loden Construction to replace the City Hall roof damaged in a Sept. 12, 2024 hailstorm.

Mercer told the council the hailstorm produced quarter‑size hail that damaged metal roofs across municipal property, prompted insurance involvement and led to a project advertisement that produced two bids. He said the city will rely on insurance funds minus a substantial deductible and that the insurer agreed to pay up to the low bid once crane-hour costs were factored in.

Mercer described technical constraints: City Hall has a membrane roof with many rooftop air‑handling units and gas piping that must be removed and later reset. Replacing the membrane will require raising curb heights to meet code and installing thicker insulation, which Mercer said will improve energy efficiency. He said the project will likely require a crane, planned street closures on Gould Street and temporary staging of HVAC units in the street during removal.

Council members asked why most bidders appeared to be from out of town. Mercer said staff invited local contractors but many declined because they remain busy addressing widespread hail damage; he noted that membrane roofs and extensive HVAC work limit the number of qualified local firms.

No formal vote or motion was recorded in the study session. Mercer said his recommendation is to award to the low qualified bidder and to authorize the Public Works Director to act on the mayor's behalf to carry out the contract; the council did not take final action during the meeting.