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Pawnee City review finds higher costs on $615,000 CDBG street grant; local match estimated to rise
Summary
An opinion of cost for a $615,000 CDBG street grant showed higher-than-expected costs, increasing the city's estimated match from $65,000 to about $135,000; staff discussed alternate bidding and listed items to support grant competitiveness.
City staff and consultants reviewed an Opinion of Cost Analysis tied to a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) street application totaling $615,000 and reported the project’s projected expenses exceed earlier estimates.
Kelly Gentrup presented the analysis and said the city’s planned match would need to increase from about $65,000 to roughly $135,000 because the opinion includes added items and mobilization line items. Foreman Spencer Cumley told the council some line items (for example, separate mobilizations and seed/mulch) likely overstate contractor charges because the work areas are close together and some fees may not be assessed. Evan Wickersham advised Clerk Tamela Curtis and Foreman Cumley that listing the full set of potential expenses can strengthen the grant application by showing funds are available to cover the project.
Clerk Tamela Curtis told the council she spoke with City Auditor Julie Bauman about where to source local match funds; the transcript records that funds were discussed as coming from the street reserve account. Council discussed that ARPA funds cannot be used for the street grant in this context because of ARPA timing constraints (ARPA funds must be used by Dec. 31, 2024). Kelly Gentrup said the city could submit an Environmental Review to add more streets and include alternates in bidding to help manage scope.
No formal vote to change the match or submit revised grant documents was recorded at the meeting; staff were directed to continue work on the application and to consider alternates and funding sources as they finalize the proposal.
