Marietta City Council on Thursday approved emergency legislation to re-bid the roof repair contract for the Armory Square project after initial bids came in more than 10 percent above the engineer's estimate.
"The city engineer wants to get this out to bid Friday as we want to move ahead with this project," said Councilman Harley Noland, D-at large, chairman of council's lands, buildings and parks committee.
Three bids were originally received for the roof repairs, but all three were too high, according to city engineer Joe Tucker who said Wednesday that the project would have to be bid out again and put on a fast track in order to get the roofing done before winter sets in.
The original engineer's estimate was $568,000, but the apparent low bid for the project came in at $772,000.
Tucker told the committee members Wednesday that some lead and asbestos abatement was included in the contract specifications, which likely had some bearing on the higher bid amounts.
The bid advertisement going out today is based on a new engineer's estimate of $640,000.
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Marietta City Council's finance committee meets at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, followed at 4 p.m. by a planning, zoning, annexation and housing committee meeting in the second floor conference room at 304 Putnam St. The agendas include a resolution supporting an evaluation matrix for city construction contracts, mobile food vendors within the city, and a city property management code.
All council and committee meetings, except executive sessions, are open to the public. More city information is available online at www.mariettaoh.net
The second round of bids are due Nov. 9.
In other business Thursday, council approved continuation of the contract with the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley to provide impoundment and care for animals found running at large within the city limits from Nov. 1, 2012 to Oct. 31, 2013. The cost, $1,200 a month, is unchanged from the previous year's contract.
"That's a good deal for the city considering the services the Humane Society provides," said Councilman Roger Kalter, D-1st Ward.
He noted the monthly cost has remained unchanged for several years.
Councilman Michael Mullen, I-at large, agreed that the Humane Society provides a valuable service.
"I heard a recent report that in some rural communities the rate of euthanized animals is 75 percent," he said. "But our Humane Society's rate is in the lower teens or less. They do a great job and make a valiant effort to place these pets with caring people."
Kalter added that, although the rate is low for euthanization of dogs, the local shelter has to euthanize approximately 800 cats every year.
"That's because there's no funding stream like licensing to take care of cats," he said. "We need to find a way to fund care for cats, too."
Also on Thursday, council adopted legislation approving a continued agreement with the Washington County Commissioners to provide dog enforcement services for the city through Oct. 31, 2013. The city pays $550 a month for that service which is provided by Washington County Deputy and dog warden Kelly Schubert.
