Public Works board recommends accepting lowest sidewalk project bid; will forward to council

The Hudson Public Works Board voted May 1 to recommend that the Common Council consider the lowest responsive bid for a sidewalks and streetscape project and to move forward with a contract that includes a contingency.

Drew, a consultant with Proffitt Associates, told the board the city received five bids and that the lowest base bid was $99,150 while the lowest total (base plus alternates) came in at $241,550 from Frank Foster and Sons. Drew said market uncertainty and potential on‑site surprises made a contingency advisable: “If financially available, I would recommend that a full contract amount as well as, about 10% deficiency…around $20,000 just for any, you know, unforeseen things,” Drew said.

Drew and board members discussed scheduling so the work does not overlap other active city projects. Heather (treasurer) told a board member she had done a preliminary review and believed the city had sufficient funds to award the lowest bid, noting sidewalk assessment receipts are not expected until 2027. Rob Perry, who attended the final walkthrough on the project, told the board his informal recommendation was also to accept the lowest bid.

Gary Kernhagen moved the board recommend acceptance of the $241,500 package (base plus selected alternates) and to accept the quote from Glassburg and Sons; the motion was seconded and the board recorded affirmative votes from George, Tyler, Justin and Kernhagen. Kernhagen said he will present the board’s recommendation to the Common Council for final approval.

Board members and staff emphasized that council approval and final funding checks remain necessary before a contract can be executed. Drew advised budgeting about a 10% contingency above the low total to cover potential unforeseen utility or subsurface issues. The board did not adopt a contract award at the meeting; it voted only to forward a recommendation to the Common Council.

The consultant also reported remaining punch‑list items from a separate downtown reconstruction: temporary handrails will be replaced with permanent black steel versions by June 6, national grid is expected to energize decorative street lamps within about two weeks, and milling and paving for asphalt resurfacing is scheduled to begin May 6 and last two days.

The board agreed to present its recommendation and the bid documents to the Common Council (and/or county council as required) and to coordinate construction timing to avoid overlapping active city work.