Council authorizes $525,000 sidewalk‑shaving contract; staff will prioritize repairs from citywide survey

The Mill Creek City Council authorized a unit‑price contract with Precision Concrete Cutting, Inc. not to exceed $525,000, with authority for the city manager to use an additional $125,000 contingency from CIP funds if needed, to begin shaving and limited repairs to sidewalk panels identified in a citywide survey.

Public Works staff said Precision Concrete conducted a multistage survey that identified thousands of potential vertical mismatches—many caused by tree roots—and categorized locations as repairable by shaving, repairable by other methods, or out of scope. The contractor’s patented horizontal saw shaving method produces smooth slopes that meet ADA considerations and minimizes dust and secondary damage. Staff estimated a base scope of roughly 7,000 inch‑feet at $75 per inch‑foot, yielding the $525,000 contract amount; the CIP contains $1 million for statewide maintenance and sidewalk replacement work.

Director Todd told council staff will prioritize phases from the survey and may self‑perform some replacements while outsourcing higher‑volume shaving work; the contract is unit price and can be extended up to 25% under the award terms without renegotiation, subject to council budget authority. Council discussed grants and other funding for safety projects; staff said some safety grants do not typically cover maintenance work but they would pursue appropriate opportunities.

The council motion to authorize execution of the contract and contingency funding passed unanimously (7–0). Staff will return with prioritization decisions and may request additional budget authority if needed.