Mead board approves consultant contract for SH‑66 pedestrian underpass after cost questions

The Mead Board of Trustees on June 29 approved resolution 41‑R2026, authorizing a professional services agreement for project and construction management services on the State Highway 66 pedestrian underpass.

Mayor Colleen Whitlow introduced the resolution as an agreement "with Alfred Bish and Company for project and construction management services for state and federally funded projects" related to project 2026‑004. During discussion Trustee Hagen questioned whether the proposal assumed a nine‑month construction window and whether the staffing level and hourly‑rate assumptions were excessive. "I look at $200 an hour, that's over 2,000 hours ... I think that's just out of line," Hagen said, explaining why she intended to vote against the item. Staff confirmed the proposal included bidding the project followed by a nine‑month construction window for construction management services.

Trustees voted by roll call: Trustee Adams — yes; Trustee Shran/Shr — yes; Trustee Hagen — no; Trustee Crane — no; Trustee Cartwright — yes; Mayor Pro Tim Harris — yes; Mayor Colleen Whitlow — yes. The motion carried 5–2.

The contract and project were discussed as part of the town’s broader capital program described earlier in the meeting. The firm name was spoken differently in parts of the meeting record (reported as both "Alfred Bish and Company" and, during the motion recitation, as "Alfred Bennett and company"); the board record should be consulted for the final contracting name on the executed agreement.

Next steps: staff will finalize contract documents and proceed with the bid and construction management schedule outlined in the agreement. Trustees asked staff to track hours and expenditures and to report back if the scope or budget requires adjustment.