Lebo awards new bid for troubled pool
The Mt. Lebanon commission voted unanimously to award its swimming pool renovation contract to DiMarco Construction. DiMarco bid $1.383 million, including an alternate item for subsurface drainage. The commission decided to re-bid the project after a contractor contested the August bid award. The new bid came in about 15 percent lower than the previous low bid of $1.449 million, from Plavchak Construction.
Municipal recreation director David Donnellan recommended about $185,000 be set aside for a 5 percent contingency. “Any time you’re digging underground there is a risk,” he explained, adding that previous budget figures for the project did not include contingency funds.
Total project cost is now estimated at $3.727 million, not including contingency.
Commissioner Kelly Fraasch asked whether the commission would be holding a public hearing regarding the bids, in order to open a fresh line of communication between the commission and public regarding the process.
“I don’t know what we’re talking about,” responded commissioner Dave Brumfield. “It sounds like you’re talking about an investigative hearing.”
“I think we’re talking about how we improve this process going forward,” commissioner John Bendel replied. “I think we need to have a discussion. We have had issues regarding bids and final project costs in the past.”
Brumfield went on to say he felt such a discussion should occur in a workshop environment.Ultimately the rest of the commission agreed pending further discussion.
As for the pool, the revised estimated completion date is June 15. The contractor faces a $2,500 per diem penalty if the work is not completed on schedule.
The commission also voted 3-1 to appoint Joe Senko acting treasurer until Jan. 6, 2014.
Senko will replace longtime treasurer John Ferguson, who passed away earlier in October.