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Osceola board approves Cascade Falls Phase 1 plans despite rising material costs
Summary
The board approved Phase 1 plans for the Cascade Falls park project and agreed to advertise for bids the week of April 3 after hearing about recent material-cost increases and debating several bid alternates and allowances.
The Village of Osceola board on March 11 approved Phase 1 plans for the Cascade Falls park project and directed staff to advertise for bids the week of April 3.
Drew Lynch, a project engineer from MSA, told the board the design team has seen increasing material costs since the January estimate and said, “I’m seeing at least $50,000 in material cost increase,” and that the stairway line item had been increased by about $100,000 in the updated estimate. Lynch also described $129,000 in bid alternates that were included in the cost estimate and reviewed several alternates the board will consider when awarding the work, including benches and tables, a wooden cap on the stair rail and reconditioning or demolishing an existing overlook.
Board members focused their questions on procurement language and on whether certain items should be included in the base bid as specs rather than carried as allowances that could later become change orders. Several members urged converting allowances to firm spec requirements where practicable; others cautioned that escalation in material prices across suppliers remains a risk until bids are received.
The board discussed a hydroseeding allowance to restore riprap-affected slopes and voiced skepticism about its likely effectiveness on steep face areas. Lynch said the hydromulch mix (a regenerative topsoil product) could help start vegetation growth for two years but conceded erosion and underlying mesh conditions make long-term success uncertain.
Van moved to approve the Phase 1 plans as presented and Neil seconded the motion; the board approved the plans by voice vote, 5-0. Lynch said he would move forward with advertisement for bids the week of April 3 and return to the board with recommendations for award at the April meeting.
Next steps: staff will finalize bid documents (converting several allowances into clearer spec language where requested), advertise in early April and return with bid results and a recommendation for contract award.
