Hobart board provisionally awards multimillion‑dollar road and stormwater contracts, approves emergency repair

The Hobart Sanitary District and Storm Water Board on May 26 approved several construction contracts and a stormwater emergency action as the city advances multiple infrastructure projects.

The board awarded Austgen Equipment the County Line Culvert Replacement contract in a not‑to‑exceed amount of $216,735 after four bids were opened, a move approved on a motion by Joe Broadaway and seconded by Larry Gutierrez (4-0).

Charles Thompson of Abonmarche reported that bids for a multi‑phase street and utility project (bids opened May 21) returned Grimmer as the lowest bidder for Phases I and II and an alternate. The board granted a provisional award to Grimmer with a not‑to‑exceed base bid of $4,344,104.00 or a base‑plus‑alternate total of $4,594,949.00, pending review of available funds and development of a construction contract; the motion was made by Jim Mandon and seconded by Joe Broadaway (4-0).

The board also provisionally awarded construction inspection services to First Group Engineering with a not‑to‑exceed amount of $335,200.00 (motion by Jim Mandon, seconded by Larry Gutierrez, 4-0). Separately, staff reported an emergency repair on Old Ridge Road; the board approved the ramification of that emergency repair on a motion by Joe Broadaway, seconded by Jim Mandon (4-0).

Scott Pruitt of First Group Engineering noted the project will affect homes and businesses and emphasized the need for construction administration and inspection. Kingsland reported that the MS4 Program received an award for Phase II restoration of the Duck Creek Tributary.

All construction awards and emergency measures approved at the meeting were provisional or contract approvals pending final contract development and fund availability.