HomeMy Public PortalAbout20120517InfraMinutes.pdfSPECIAL INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND
May 17, 2012
3:30 P.M.
ATTENDEES: Paul Wolff, Tom Groover, Barry Brown and Diane Schleicher
Paul Wolff called the meeting to order. States, basically we just to follow up on what we
discussed at the last Infrastructure meeting and try to make a recommendation to Council
on choosing an engineer for the TE Grant Bike Trail along Hwy 80.
Old Business:
I. HISTORIC RAILS TO TRAILS TE GRANT
A. Thomas and Hutton Engineering Fee Proposal
1. Diane Schleicher states that staff can work with either one of the
Engineering companies. There’s about a $2000 difference between one
proposal and the other. I got from Thomas and Hutton that they had
worked on a lot of trails recently, with TE Grants and environmental
issues. I think it’s been awhile since HGBD has worked on a stand alone
trail. If you were to look at me for a recommendation, either one would
work well but, I think Thomas and Hutton gets a nudge because they have
more recent experience getting the environmental, which is going to be the
biggest issue. They have done stand alone trails in Chatham County and
they’ve work with the GDOT.
B. HGBD Amended Engineering Fee Proposal
1 Barry Brown states that he recommends HGBD.
2. Tom Groover states, I can’t do it. I have lost total respect for HGBD. We
asked them to give us a bid; they gave us a bid for $93,000; we put it out
for bid and after Thomas and Hutton sent theirs in, then we get this one
from HGBD for $84,000 plus a letter that states there was $10,000 taken
out of the original bid. I will not vote for HGBD. Paul asked if Tom’s
recommendation was to go with Thomas and Hutton. Tom states yes, I
would go with Thomas and Hutton.
3. Barry Brown states he wouldn’t let them (Thomas and Hutton) build a dog
house for him. I’ve worked with them before. They’ve got good show and
tell but I have no use for them.
4. Diane states that if we went with HGBD, I know one of the issues you are
having, Tom, is with the invoicing. I think in order to go forward with
HGBD is, when they invoice us they have to say what the service is for
along with the dollar amount charged. That way you can tie it into the
schedule. I think that would relieve your concerns about HGBD.
5. Paul Wolff states someone needs to make a motion and we’ll see where it
goes.
6. Tom Groover motions to recommend Thomas & Hutton.
7. Barry Brown motions that HGBD do this project. Paul Wolff states, I
second that for discussion. Barry states, I don’t think you can second
anything. Paul states, well, I can if there’s no second in a 3 person
committee; I think, can’t I? Diane says, yes; Barry says, I don’t know.
Paul states, otherwise everything is going to die; if you make a motion and
Tom makes a motion and nobody gets a second, I don’t see how that’s
going to resolve anything. We need to move forward on this; Diane’s
right; we’ve been sitting on it too long and have delayed the whole process
by resubmitting the bids twice.
8. Barry Brown asked Diane if it’s true that the original bid from HGBD was
$93,000. Diane responded, yes, if you will remember, they gave us a
$93,000 proposal. There was a question, so Council instructed me to go to
Thomas & Hutton and get a proposal. In the mean time, while I’m getting
a proposal from Thomas & Hutton, HGBD came back with a lower
proposal of $84,000. Barry asked Diane, why would that bid from HGBD
of $93,000 even be brought back in? Diane states, they told you when they
brought it in; they presented it to you guys and said they had revised their
estimates. They said what they did was took out their profit in order to
keep our business. If you guys didn’t like that, it would be like, throw it
off of the table at that point; there was no objection.
9. Barry Brown states, I withdraw my motion. I’ve had enough. There’s too
much underhanded crap going on here and everywhere else. I’ll just
withdraw my motion; close the meeting; do what you want to do with it;
there’s too much going on behind closed doors. We’re going to figure out
what’s happening with all of this.
10. Paul Wolff states, there’s nothing going on behind closed doors; it all
happened right at this table. Barry states, I’m just trying to remember how
it all took place. I didn’t think about the time where they (HGBD) got a
second shot at it. Paul states, I thought it had gone back to all 4 of them
but we just took it to Thomas & Hutton. Tom Groover states, that’s the
way Council worded it at the meeting; why that was, I don’t know.
11. Paul Wolff states it’s time to make a motion. Paul asked Tom, do you
want to make a motion? Tom Groover states, I motion Thomas & Hutton.
Paul states, I’ll second that if I’m able. We’ve discussed it to death. Can I
call for a vote? All in favor of Thomas & Hutton at $86,500; Tom & Paul
raised their hands. Paul states, 2 to 1 in favor of Thomas & Hutton to be
recommended to Council next Thursday for the Bike Trail.
12. Diane address’ Barry; if you want me to, I can ask Doyle Kelly to give us
some history about their projects, recent projects and how they did on
budgeting. Barry says, okay, and then we can have some background on
them.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted by Karen Reese on 06/27/2012
A quorum of city council members may be present which would constitute a meeting.