Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Lift Station 13 topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Utility board accepts single $1.11 million bid to replace failing Lift Station 13
Summary
After receiving a lone bid more than 30% above estimate, the Lawrenceburg Utility Board voted to accept a $1,111,094 bid from Dave O'Meara Contractors for Lift Station 13, citing the station's deteriorating condition and risk of larger bypasses if work is delayed.
The Lawrenceburg Utility Board voted July 6 to accept a $1,111,094 bid from Dave O'Meara Contractors to repair and replace Lift Station 13 after hearing that only one contractor submitted a bid and that the pump station is near failure.
Utility Director Rob Schneider told the board the project drew only a single bid submitted June 4 and that the amount — $1,111,094 — is “a little over 30%” higher than the engineering estimate. Schneider said the city did not have that specific figure budgeted but has capital funds available; he told members approving the bid would leave roughly $400,000 remaining in the sewer capital account.
Jeff Meyer, design engineer with Butler Furman & Seifert, said he contacted additional contractors after the first meeting; several declined because of schedule constraints and one specifically said it was not interested this year. “We don't do too many hard bids…this time of year, it's not uncommon for them to be quite busy,” Meyer said, noting an alternative bypass approach recommended by the contractor had increased cost.
Meyer and Schneider both warned that postponing the project risked station failure and larger operational problems, including bypass discharges into Tanner's Creek. Schneider said the lift station is “on its last leg” and that delaying may increase costs further.
After discussion, a board member moved to approve the $1,111,094 bid; the motion passed on a voice vote. The board recorded the motion and direction to proceed; no roll-call vote totals were recorded in the transcript other than members saying “Aye.”
The board did not detail a construction start date beyond the contractor's stated contract completion deadline, which design staff said is the end of the year. The board also did not specify a funding source beyond noting capital funds would be used.
What happens next: the city will execute the contract so work can begin this year if scheduling allows. The board flagged the project as urgent and moved forward despite the higher-than-estimated price.
