Bowie council awards CDBG water-line contract to Patterson Professional Services

The Bowie City Council voted unanimously to award a CDBG-funded contract to Patterson Professional Services of Collinsville to replace selected water-line segments on Wichita and Hutchison streets.

Mike, a city presenter, recommended acceptance of the low bid and said, "The low bid for that was $303,875.80." He told council the project was split into seven segments so contractors could bid individual sections and that Patterson was the lowest responsible bidder with positive references.

Council discussion focused on cost and scope. Mike said the bids ranged widely and acknowledged that inflation and high current construction demand had driven prices up: "I think 5 blocks of 6 inch water line for $300,000 is just crazy," he said, adding that rejecting the award would forfeit the grant. Councilors pressed for per-foot figures and match information; the match was described as 20 percent for this jurisdiction.

Council member Gunner moved to "take the engineer's recommendation award the low bidder to Patterson Professional Services for bid sections 1, 2, 3, and 5 in the amount of $303,875.80, which will require the city to contribute an additional $2,607 towards the project." The motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote with councilors Ashley, Bates, McEwen, Shaw, Gunnar and Post recorded as approving.

The contract award funds selected segments now; staff said the city will seek additional grant cycles to complete remaining segments. The council will receive ongoing updates from staff as the work proceeds.