In a recent government meeting, city officials approved a significant bid for the construction of a new police substation, awarding the contract to Kelly Construction Group for $2,501,631. The decision, made during a motion led by Chair DeMauro, was met with unanimous support from council members, indicating strong confidence in the project’s budget alignment.

The meeting also addressed the ongoing Colburn Road project, which involves a public highway overpass agreement with the Union Pacific Railroad. Senior staff engineer Greg Koehler reported that the project has encountered delays, leading to an additional request for $110,000 to cover extended construction management costs. The original estimate of $55,000 for engineering oversight was exceeded due to unforeseen complexities during the demolition and construction phases.

Council members expressed concerns regarding the accuracy of the initial estimates provided by the railroad, questioning the accountability of the bidding process. Koehler clarified that the estimates were based on a time and materials approach, which can lead to variances as actual conditions on-site may differ from initial assessments. He emphasized that the additional funding request is necessary to prevent project delays, as the railroad's engineers must remain on-site throughout the construction process.

Despite the challenges, the council remains committed to advancing both projects, recognizing the importance of timely infrastructure improvements for the community.