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Low bid under estimate leads staff to recommend award for Shelbyville soccer‑fields; lighting remains unfunded
Summary
City engineers recommended awarding the soccer‑field contract including alternates (gravel and sodding) after a low bid came in well under estimate; remaining funds could pay restrooms but lighting — priced at about $1.4 million — would require additional funding.
At the May 5 study session, engineer Jim Gillum told council staff opened six bids (five valid) for the new soccer‑field project and recommended awarding the base bid plus alternates that include gravel and sodding. Gillum said the three alternates together came in at about $1,959,000 and that the low bidder’s price was ‘‘unexpectedly lower than the target that we had our estimate.’’
Gillum described a proposal to tap a 12‑inch water main rather than run a long lateral irrigation feed across the parking lot; that work would likely be handled by the low bidder as a change order and would increase irrigation capacity while shortening installation time. He estimated the project would have roughly $900,000–$1,000,000 remaining after the recommended award, which could be used to fund restroom facilities and storage for field equipment.
Council members asked about lighting. Staff said installing lighting was estimated at about $1.4 million and that, with the current bids, the city does not have sufficient funds to include lights; council members indicated they would prioritize restrooms and consider grants or partnerships for lights. Gillum also noted a northern parking‑lot alternate (141 spaces) was broken out separately on the bid tab to allow flexibility.
No formal contract award occurred at the study session; staff recommended the council approve the award at the upcoming regular meeting with the base and selected alternates as presented.
