Council approves $2.36 million HVAC upgrade for police and city hall

Taylor City Council voted to award Monroe Plumbing and Heating the contract to replace HVAC equipment at the Taylor Police Department and City Hall, agreeing to a base bid of $2,249,200 plus a 5% contingency for a total not to exceed $2,361,660. The funding source cited by staff was a combination of TBA capital outlay and state police forfeiture capital outlay.

Council members pressed the project team on scope and safety. A representative for Monroe explained the plan is to remove rooftop chillers and install new forced-air systems and a supplemental rooftop unit, and to add a 180-ton unit with associated mechanical, electrical and plumbing work. The representative said, “This is a major, major upgrade of very old equipment,” and described the new configuration as a tandem system so one unit can back up the other in case of failure. Council asked whether ductwork was included; the contractor said the bid covers equipment and associated MEP work but not full duct replacement.

A local resident, Mark LeMay, stepped to the microphone to offer public support, saying he had worked with Monroe on a sensitive historical project and that the firm “went above and beyond the call of duty.” The motion to award the contract carried on a voice vote.

City staff said the work had been budgeted in previously approved plans and would not affect the current fund balance, and that architects and engineers had reviewed the specifications and submittals. Council asked staff to confirm that the contract documents include structural and facade work where necessary and to ensure safety measures for work performed over the council chambers.