Committee approves RK&K contract for Billy Swales Boulevard CE&I work

Town staff presented a recommendation to contract Rommel, Klupper & Kahl (RK&K) to deliver construction engineering and inspection (CE&I) and environmental compliance services for Billy Swales Boulevard Section 4B. Staff said the services would include on‑site inspection, materials testing and Davis‑Bacon and EEO reviews; the contract proposed was $357,898.55 with a completion date of Nov. 7, 2027.

During discussion committee members pressed staff on environmental protections for the corridor. One committee member asked about protections for a “yellow spotted turtle” and tree protection zones; the staff presentation said RK&K would “support our existing staff from both the environmental compliance and also construction assurances and having someone out there on‑site” and would assist with relocation and tree protection field walks. The committee then moved and seconded the item and the chair called the vote; the motion carried (recorded vote language in the transcript: “And that carries 3 2 0”).

The decision directs staff to finalize the contract pending SCDOT concurrence and to coordinate environmental monitoring and post‑installation walk‑throughs to identify trees that might be preserved. The committee’s motion and vote were procedural approvals; the contract and environmental measures will be administered by the town’s capital projects staff and coordinated with SCDOT where necessary.