City manager reports contractor termination after gas-line strike on sidewalk project

City Manager Mark informed the Edwardsville City Council that staff has issued a notice to terminate the contractor working on the 100 4 Street sidewalk after finding the contractor proceeded without proper permits and an excavator struck a gas line.

"We had a language barrier. They took out their own all the markings that they should have called for again ... and then we find out, hit a gas line," Mark said, describing a lack of on-site supervision and procedural failures. He said the city is proceeding with notice to terminate and that the contractor's surety bond will be responsible for assisting in completion at the contractor's expense.

Mark said inspectors found multiple procedural problems and that the contractor appeared not to have communicated when crews would begin work, which limited city supervision. He described trench conditions as "very deep" and said some of the problems cannot be fully cured after the fact. "We're on track to terminate and then figure out how to finish the job," he said.

Council members asked about the city’s bid-vetting processes after the report. Staff explained that sealed bids aim to identify the lowest or best bid and that subcontracting that is contrary to contract terms was a factor in this incident. City staff acknowledged the importance of due diligence and said the permitting clerk and staff try to catch such issues before work begins.

The city manager did not record a council vote on the termination during the meeting; the action recorded in the minutes was the staff notice to terminate the contractor and reliance on the contractor’s surety to complete outstanding work.