Council tables decision on early work package for public safety building after questions on cost and schedule

The St. Helens City Council on Friday postponed consideration of an amendment that would authorize an early-work package with Howard S. Wright for the city’s planned public safety building, saying more information is needed before the city commits to subcontractor pricing or mobilization.

City staff said the amendment would let the contractor lock in subcontractor bids for demolition, earthwork, structural concrete, steel, doors and hardware, and underground plumbing and electrical — work the contractor says must be under contract to hold current prices. The contractor has said it can deliver a guaranteed maximum price for the full project on or about June 10 and wants to mobilize June 8 to begin demolition and long-lead ordering.

"The city does not yet have a guaranteed maximum price for the entire project," the project counsel said, recommending that the amendment be revised to include a construction schedule and that commencement be delayed until the city issues a notice to proceed or until a full GMP is submitted. "If the city was to enter this amendment, it could lock in the subcontractor prices, but the work wouldn't commence until the city issued a notice to proceed," she said.

City staff reiterated that the site and project are complex and that locking subcontractor bids could limit future leverage if prices change. The city also confirmed there is a construction schedule in the project documents reviewed by staff, but that schedule was not included in the amendment currently before the council.

Mayor Massie declared an actual conflict of interest at the start of the meeting and recused herself from discussion of this item, saying several subcontractors listed in the amendment include companies with which she has affiliations. With the mayor recused, councilors discussed but did not vote on the amendment.

Council members and staff agreed it would be helpful for the owners’ representative, David Lince, to be present to explain procurement timing and risk. The council directed staff to schedule a special meeting early next week, subject to public-notice requirements, so Lince can participate. No motion was taken on the amendment at this meeting.

Public comment earlier in the meeting also addressed the police station. Visitor Brady Preheim urged the council to cancel the project, saying it risks cost overruns and urging the city to resell the land and redirect funds to policing operations.

Next steps: staff will confirm David Lince’s availability and bring the amendment back at a specially noticed meeting once the council has the construction schedule and the full guaranteed-maximum-price information.