Committee recommends Strand to design Kuga Connector after reviewing three bids

The Ped/Bike committee recommended selecting engineering firm Strand to design the Kuga Connector, voting to recommend that staff negotiate an agreement for presentation to the council. The motion to recommend Strand passed by voice vote after members reviewed three proposals and discussed costs, timelines and local experience.

Mark, a staff presenter, summarized the three responses to the request for proposals: a firm listed in the packet as "Me and Hunt," MSA, and Strand. He said Me and Hunt emphasized public engagement and listed the highest fee (transcript: about $87,778) and a faster final-design date (May 2025), while MSA listed a fee of roughly $75,339 and Strand’s fee was reported at $49,500. Mark also said MSA highlighted coordination with DOT and the fire district, and that Strand provided an initial survey and reported prior contacts with the fire chief and DOT.

Committee members questioned schedules and scope. Jim said Me and Hunt’s timeline — several months for preliminary and another six months for final design — felt drawn out and could delay bidding into a busy construction season. Kirsten said she preferred Strand’s proposal but raised concern about the roughly $25,000–$40,000 price gap, calling the discrepancy a "red flag" and asking whether the lower fee meant work or tasks were omitted.

Several members said they were comfortable with Strand because of the firm’s local experience and detailed identification of potential site issues. Yost moved to recommend Strand; Jim seconded. The committee took a voice vote and recorded "motion carries." Members instructed staff to reach out to the selected firm to prepare an agreement for the council packet, with the expectation that the contract would be ready for the April council meeting.

Next steps: staff will clarify scope and timeline with the selected firm and report a proposed agreement to council. The committee also clarified project labeling: members asked that the record use "Kuga Connector" or "Kuga Connector Trail" rather than a generic "bike path."