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School board approves local contractor bid for cold‑storage bus building, directs staff to seek bids for larger bus barn
Summary
The Columbus School Board approved a local bid for a 30x60 cold‑storage building to shelter district buses and authorized staff to advertise for bids on a larger 60x180 bus barn; trustees discussed funding sources and additional site utility costs.
The Columbus School Board voted to accept a local contractor's bid for a 30x60 steel cold‑storage building intended to shelter recently purchased buses and reduce vehicles parked on public streets. The board also authorized staff to advertise for bids on a larger, 60x180 bus barn with multiple bays and an office/training area.
Board discussion identified immediate needs—more bays and protected storage for buses—and longer‑term planning for an 11‑bay, insulated facility with 14‑foot doors to accommodate larger buses. A staff presenter recommended moving forward with a smaller cold‑storage building now and returning in December with bids for the larger facility. The board authorized advertising for the larger project by voice vote.
During the review of vendor quotes, staff reported competing estimates: an MQS quote presented in the packet cited roughly $70,005.90 for the frame (about $92,004.60 with concrete) while a local contractor (referred to in the record as Cleary/Clery/Clari) provided a figure cited in the packet as $78,007.89. During the motion a slightly different figure ($78,789) was also cited on the floor; the meeting record contains both amounts (see audit). The board approved accepting the locally offered Cleary bid by voice vote; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript.
Trustees noted additional costs not included in the vendor quote: electrical service and meter installation to allow bus plug‑in, road construction/site base work and any required site utilities. Staff said they will obtain estimates for wiring and site work and recommended Metal Line sponsorship funds or transportation funding as possible sources to pay for the building.
Next steps include finalizing the contract with the awarded vendor, obtaining cost estimates for utilities and site work, and returning to the board with bid results and a recommendation for the larger 60x180 bus barn in December.
