01/29/2014 Board of Public Works Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 29 2014 15 NEW INSTALLATION: Handicapped Accessible Parking Space Sign LOCATION: 902 Roosevelt Street REMARKS: Driveway Available; Picture attached APPROVE TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES Upon a motion made by Mr. Gilot, seconded by Ms. Roos and carried, the following traffic control devices were approved: REVISION: From Two -Way to Four -Way Stop Sign LOCATION: Commerce Drive and Voorde Drive REMARKS: To Reduce Right Angle Accidents at Intersection LOCATION Bellevue Street and Ruskin Street REMARKS: For IUSB Crossing Safety; Warrant Study Completed REVISION: From One -Way to Three -Way Stop Sign LOCATION: Esther Street and Ruskin Street REMARKS: For IUSB Crossing Safety; Warrant Study Completed APPROVE CLAIMS Ms. Roos stated that a request to pay the following claims in the amounts indicated has been received by the Board; each claim is fully supported by an invoice; the person receiving the goods or services has approved the claims; and the claims have been filed with the Citv Fiscal -11100r auu l%GrUneU tor accuracy Name Amount of Claim Date City of South Bend $3,774.32 01/22/2014 City of South Bend $1,670,217.04 01/28/2014 Therefore, Ms. Roos made a motion that after review of the expenditures, the claims be approved as submitted. Mr. Relos seconded the motion, which carried. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Mr. Murray Miller, Local 364, questioned the changes to the specifications for the Manhole Rehabilitation bid, noting past changes still limited the number of contractors qualified to meet the specifications. Ms. Greene stated she has asked that the completion dates, termination clause, and available work hours to reduce problems with noise, be tightened up. She stated along with that, a demonstrated ability was added to the pre - qualifi cation process that allows a contractor without this type of experience to show the City that they are still capable of doing the work. Mr. Gilot explained there are more contractors that can install new manholes, but the rehabilitation process saves approximately $10,000.00 per manhole and there aren't as many qualified contractors for this process. He noted the City needs quality work that will last and they want to open the bidding up. He added if a contractor doesn't meet the experience qualifications but thinks they are capable of doing the work, if they can demonstrate that capability, they can qualify to bid. Mr. Miller noted the City has only used one contractor for this work so they are the only ones that have the experience. He questioned why they don't have to demonstrate their ability like everyone else. Mr. Gilot stated their previous work is evidence of their ability to do the work. Ms. Roos explained that if a contractor can demonstrate they can do the work and are awarded the bid, they won't have to demonstrate they can do it again. Ms. Greene noted the problem came in with the experience requirement for the number of manholes previously done. She explained last year that requirement was reduced to open up the bidding. Mr. Miller stated the specifications still limited the contractors to the same one previously awarded. Mr. Paul South, Director of Streets, disagreed and noted there were other bids received but one didn't have any experience in rehabbing, just installing new ones. He stated they couldn't show evidence of ever having done the work before. Ms. Roos stated this process can't be compared to last year and requested Mr. Miller give the new specifications a chance. She noted the City took the comments receeved and adjusted the specifications accordingly this year. Ms. Greene added she does not see any undue or unfair advantage to anybody with the new specifications. Mr. Miller questioned why the Office Interiors Solutions agreement was deemed a "Special Purchase ". Mr. George King, Purchasing, stated it is a QPA bid that was bid by the State and the City is able to "piggy- back" on their bid prices.