School board rejects only bid for Franklin shot put, discus pad
Trending
In a 3-2 vote, a Franklin Field bid was rejected by the Marshalltown School Board on Monday during the regular meeting.
Clapsaddle-Garber Associates Vice President Adam Daters recommended Con-Struct, which was the only bidder, be awarded an $85,580 bid for the shot put and discus pad to be located in the softball outfield across the creek from Franklin Field.
"We sent quote packages to five contractors for indicated interest in it," he said.
Con-Struct's bid was higher than what the engineer determined the pad would cost, Daters said. The company's bid was $83,000 plus $2,580 for black vinyl coated fencing, but the engineer estimated the pad would cost $75,404.
"We did speak to some of the contractors that declined to bid," he said. "They mentioned their workload and trying to wrap up for the year. Part of this proposal was to also complete by the end of the year, so the project would be ready for track season."
The four other contractors who received packages but did not submit bids included A&A Concrete, Boulder Construction, E&E Concrete and Ramms Construction.
Voting against the bid were board members Sara Faltys, Zach Wahl and Leah Stanley. In favor votes were cast by Board President Sean Heitmann and Maria Morales. Board members Eric Goslinga and Elizabeth Wise were absent.
Heitmann asked if there would be issues with completing the project this fall due to the colder temperatures. Daters told him the completion deadline might be why the bid was higher and others did not bid.
"We did require any winter protection [or winter installation] be included in their quote so that they are complete before the end of the year," he said. "It is possible to pave and install in colder temperatures. It just gets a little more expensive on the contractor's end."
Board member Zach Wahl asked if it is possible to perform tests to ensure the ground is OK moving forward. Daters said no testing had been done in the area, but they did include it in the package.
"Moving forward, is there anything we can do differently to get more bids?" Wahl asked.
Daters said they thought there would be more, as four other contractors expressed interest in the project.
"I think it's really just timing at the end of the year," he said. "All who declined really just discussed their winter workload and trying to get it wrapped up by the end of the year."
Stanley inquired about what the cost would be to the district if there was no requirement of getting the project done before spring. Daters said by not having the requirement, the projected cost would be close to the engineer's estimation, possibly less. She also asked what the cost would be to the district of not having a shot put and discus pad at Franklin Field, since there had never been one before.
"We wouldn't have an area for which to practice shot put and discuss," Superintendent Theron Schutte responded. "There's still a shot put ring at the Miller practice field, but the beauty of this is that it's under a watchful eye. You don't have to leave and go a block to practice. It's easier for the coaches and student athletes."
In Schutte's opinion, it was better to wait until later as there would be no guarantee of a cheaper price.
"We don't have any middle school meets currently scheduled. It would be more of a practice issue for next year," he said. "The hope is, over time, there will be a meet held there for boys and girls. The problem is those are scheduled a year in advance. People get locked into those meets and sometimes it's hard to lure people out of them, but it would be nice to have another home meet, whether held at the high school or at Franklin, and have one less trip where we're sending kids places."
Another advantage, according to Daters, is that there would be three throwing stations for each event. Right now there is only one.
Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.