Council recommends award for Stevens Field wall replacement; FEMA reimbursement expected

The council received a staff recommendation to award the Stevens Field wall replacement project to Foothills Construction for both the base bid and alternate bids (all three walls). City staff said six bids were received and the lowest bidder was roughly 50% lower than other bids, prompting further review of scope, schedule and references; after evaluation the project team recommended Foothills.

Project staff explained the original wall (built around 1938) had no reinforcement and wind removed a corner, and the replacement will include concrete bond beams and reinforcement designed to modern code. FEMA review and discussions with mitigation staff indicate the city likely can submit all three wall replacements for reimbursement rather than only the base bid.

Council members asked technical questions about structural stability and the choice not to accept the lowest bid; staff cited reference checks, schedule and scope understanding as decisive factors. The council received the recommendation and approved moving forward with the procurement process and award documentation as presented.