Council has reduced the scope of some street and parking lot reconstruction projects in order to keep the work within budget.
Tenders for the work presented at the July 22 meeting included seven specific projects, plus some miscellaneous work.
The lowest of two bids for the projects, $1,051,395 from Moorefield Excavating, was $143,395 over budget, states a report from CAO Bill White.
The tendered price includes work costing:
– $464,799 on George Street in Harriston;
– $82,332 on Queen Street in Harriston;
– $152,379 on Wellington Street in Palmerston; and
– $133,975 on Queen Street in Clifford.
The tender also includes $36,640 for work on the Harry Stones parking lot in Harriston, $50,970 for the Palmerston arena parking lot and $44,120 for the Harriston Senior Centre Parking lot.
Miscellaneous work totalling $36,000 and a $50,000 contingency allowance were also included in the tender.
In order to keep the total project within budget, council accepted a staff recommendation to:
– add a developer contribution of $64,000 to the George Street project;
– reduce the scope of work at the Harriston Senior Centre parking area by $30,000;
– eliminate one lift of asphalt on Queen Street in Clifford to save $24,000; and
– reduce the scope of work at the Palmerston arena by $10,000.
The changes would leave $15,395 for contingencies and engineering, noted White in his report.
“It is expected the project could be overspent by $50,000, which can be (accommodated) by moving forward funds from the life cycle reserves,” the report states.
Councillor Rick Hembly suggested eliminating one project completely in order to the find savings, rather than scaling back a number of projects.
“I would rather see 10 jobs completed and eliminate one, as opposed to having 11 jobs half done,” said Hembly.
Mayor George Bridge said, “Rather than take one project out, I like the way you’ve worked this myself. Let’s get going on it.”
The motion to proceed with the reduced work plan passed with only Hembly opposed.
