Chicago City Wire

City of Winchester Board met Jan. 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Winchester City Council held special meeting January 24, 2024 at City Hall. 

Mayor McIntire called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. with the following council in attendance: Jeff Pittman, Ron Bell, Tina Brown, Terry Gregory, Melinda Hembrough, Bill Jacquot and City Clerk Teri Little. 

Also, in attendance was John Paul Coonrod, City Attorney and Wanda Cody, City Treasurer. 

Purpose of the special meeting is to go over opened bids for the water main project and read the recommendation letter from Benton and Associates. 

Greg Hillis, Benton and Associates, advised that on January 18, 2024 all bids that were received were publicly opened and read aloud for the Winchester water main project. A total of six bids were received. 

Laverdiere Constructions $2,570,547.60 

Hood Construction Group Midwest, LLC $2,683,652.71 

C & S Companies, Inc $2,945,475.00 

Loelke Plumbing, LLC $3,028,009.68 

Kamadulski Excavating & Grading $3,248,568.25 

E.L. Pruitt Co. $4,323,035.00 

Low bid was submitted by Laverdier Construction. It was 7% above the estimate but additional costs can be covered with the project contingency. 

The project is within project funds and the city has a couple options to pursue. 

Option 1: Process with the base bid with the city using part of the contingency and fund additional costs above the shortfall of the contingency. 

Option 2: The city could look for ways to reduce the project to a level that will meet the current budget and maintain the proposed level of contingency. This option would not be the recommended option to move the project forward. 

Based upon the information provided Benton and Associates recommends the city proceed to loan closing requesting USDA-RD concurrence to award the bid, request the use of a portion of the contingency funds to complete the project and initiate the interim financing process. 

With the receipt od USDA-RD concurrence, the city can execute the Notice of award and initiate interim financing process. Hillis suggested that on February 7, 2024 the council pass a motion to issue a Notice of Award for the contract to Laverdiere Construction, Inc. Once issued the contractor can begin his process of obtaining their respective Certificate of Insurance along with their performance and payment bonds. 

Mayor, Rex McIntire will go to the three local banks to check on short term loan rates for the money needed to borrow till the grant is issued. 

MOTION: Bill Jacquot moved and Terry Gregroy seconded to accept the recommendation letter from Benton and Associates for the submitted bid from Laverdiere Construction, Inc for $2,570,547.60. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried. 

MOTION: Ron Bell moved and Jeff Pittman second to adjourn at 6:35 pm. Roll call resulted in all yeas. Motion carried. 

https://winchesteril.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/January-24th-2024-Special-Council-Meeting-minutes.pdf