Atkins council approves $3.376 million fire station contract, okays $13,000 staking amendment amid cost‑transparency questions

Atkins City Council voted Oct. 8 to approve the contract documents and award construction of the Atkins Fire Station to Darling Construction of Veil Point, Iowa, after a presentation of the bid tab and consultant recommendations.

Architect Hal Duck presented the bids and recommended awarding the base bid of $3,320,000 and the alternate of $56,000 for a total recommended award of $3,376,000, noting that both issued addenda had been acknowledged by bidders and that the recommended award was below the project's cost opinion of $4,510,000. "We do recommend an award to Darling Construction," Duck said, noting 11 bidders on the tab.

The council moved to adopt the resolution to approve the plans and specifications (including two addenda issued during bidding) and then to award the construction contract; both measures passed on unanimous roll calls. Council members and the consultant framed the result as favorable for taxpayers and firefighters, saying the design retains the existing parking and includes capacity for future expansion.

Separately, the council considered contract amendment number 2 to engage Snyder & Associates for construction staking — the on‑site surveying that locates the building and drives — cited in the meeting as a $13,000 amendment. Staff explained that having the design firm perform staking under the city's contract reduces handoffs and potential errors compared with subcontracting that work through the prime contractor.

Several council members pressed staff on transparency and accounting: why staking was not itemized earlier in the professional fees and whether other items might appear as post‑bid amendments. Staff said staking is commonly handled post‑bid and that the Terracon geotechnical/testing costs had been listed (noted in the meeting as a roughly $7,000 contract with $4,900 billed so far). The council asked staff to add clearer line items so future bidders and council members see those charges up front.

The amendment passed after discussion. Council member David Fisher said he would vote aye but voiced frustration with how some costs were communicated: "I'm going to say aye, but I tell you what, it's frustrating to be the way we're doing business and it needs to stop," he said.

Next steps: with plans and award approved and construction staking contracted, the city expects the prime contractor to finalize pre‑construction steps and begin scheduling work under the forthcoming contract. Council members asked staff to include clearer line‑item accounting on future project budget summaries and to note in project documents whether certain services (like staking or testing) will be provided under the city contract or required of the contractor.

Votes at a glance: the resolutions to approve plans/specifications and to award the contract to Darling Construction passed unanimously; the contract amendment for construction staking also passed by roll call.