HomeMy WebLinkAboutA029 - Hearing on Freel Drive Paving ProgramITEM #:33
DATE:04-14-26
DEPT:PW
SUBJECT:FREEL DRIVE PAVING PROGRAM
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
The Freel Drive Paving program involves paving the remaining gravel-surfaced portion of
Freel Drive to SE 5th Street. The current gravel street is unable to withstand the increase in
traffic and the weight of the trucks required to operate the Resource Recovery and Recycling
Campus (R3C). Planning and Zoning requirements also trigger the improvements to the street
in conjunction with the construction of the R3C.
The paving will take place concurrently with the construction of the Resource Recovery and
Recycling Campus. Construction for this project will be staged between the entrances of the
R3C to allow the R3C site construction to occur without interruption.
Freel Drive is currently 23 to 24 feet wide with shallow ditches, whereas the proposed section
will be a 31-foot section with curb and gutter. The existing ditches are planned to be filled and
a storm intake system installed. Due to the very small elevation change along the length of
Freel Drive, the ability to make water drain quickly is very limited. As a result, a percolation
system is planned to be constructed using the intakes to allow water to enter the soil. A tile
system will also be constructed to provide a system overflow.
The project will also include relocation of a pressure reducing valve in the water distribution
system. The valve itself is being procured under a separate item on the April 14 City Council
agenda. The project includes a Base Bid and three alternates as described below:
Base Bid includes paving Freel Drive from the end of the current paved section, 765 feet
south of Lincoln Way, to SE 5th Street.
Alternate 1 includes replacing the existing paved section from Lincoln Way, 765' to the south,
with a new 31' section of PCC pavement. This existing pavement is in the early stages of
pavement distress.
Alternate 2 includes the sidewalk in front of the Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus
(R3C). A sidewalk in front of the R3C would be required under development standards for a
similar private development if it were to take place in the same area. This portion of sidewalk
was originally included in the paving scope for the R3C concrete contractor, but was removed
from that project to bring the overall R3C project within the available budget.
Alternate 3 incudes all the remaining sidewalk along Freel Drive between E Lincoln Way and
SE 5th St. This sidewalk portion is divided into two sections on either side of the R3C
frontage.
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On April 8, 2026, bids for the project were received as follows:
Bidder Base Bid Alternate 1 Alternate 2 Alternate 3
Engineer’s Estimate $1,150,000 $515,650 $52,545 $25,965
Con-Struct, Inc. 995,000 482,500 35,030 17,310
Absolute Group 1,181,840.80 552,982.48 56,048 27,696
Gehrke, Inc 1,242,588.50 511,706.02 48,341.40 23,887.80
Based on bid results, staff recommends awarding a contract to Con-Struct, Inc. of
Ames, Iowa for the Base Bid and Alternate 3 only. Staff recommends declining to award
Alternate 1 for reconstruction of the existing paved section, since the cost exceeds the
available revenue for project. Staff will look for opportunities to extend the life of this
deteriorating existing paving before a full reconstruction can take place. The bids for Alternate
2 (paving the R3C frontage sidewalk) substantially exceed the price that was offered by the
R3C concrete contractor for the same sidewalk (which was removed from the R3C scope).
Therefore, staff recommends declining to award Alternate 2, and staff will identify an
alternative source of funding which will allow the R3C frontage sidewalk to be added back into
the R3C concrete contractor's scope.
Regarding Alternate 3, staff believes Con-Struct's cost for these sidewalk sections is
competitive and represents a good value for the work. Awarding this Alternate will allow the
R3C frontage sidewalk to connect to sidewalk along the entirety of Freel Drive, rather than
leaving an isolated stretch of sidewalk in the middle of the block in front of the R3C. Therefore,
staff recommends awarding Alternate 3 to Con-Struct.
A summary of revenues and projected expenses is shown below:
Description Revenue Expenses
Freel Drive Paving (G.O. Bonds)$ 975,000
Unobligated G.O. Bonds 225,000
Water Utility Funds 40,000
Construction Base Bid (this Council Action) $ 995,000
Alternate 3 (this Council Action) 17,310
Engineering/Administration 90,000
TOTAL $1,240,000 $1,102,310
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The City Council can approve the following:
a. Accept the report of bids
b. Approve the final plans and specifications for this project and award the base bid
and Alternate 3 for the Freel Drive project to Con-Struct, of Ames, Iowa, in the
amount of $1,012,310
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2. Award any combination of base bid plus alternative bids.
3. Award the project to another bidder.
4. Direct staff to make changes to this project.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The paving of Freel Drive is necessary for the transition of solid waste handling to the
R3C. Awarding this project will allow for construction activities to be complete prior to
the opening of the R3C in 2027. Staff has determined that the combination of the Base
Bid and Alternate 3, for the extension of sidewalk along Freel Drive (excluding in front
of the R3C, which will be paved separately), represents the best value for the City. The
available budget for this project will cover the expenses of the base bid and Alternate 3.
Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative
No. 1, as described above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Freel Dr Report of Bids Map.pdf
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