City Swallows Higher Cost, Moves Forward With Cemetery Project

Council voted 5-1 to auhtorize Mayor Gretchen Driskell and Clerk Dianne Hill to execute the contract and raise the city line item budget for the Oakwood Cemetery Expansion project.

City Superintendent Gary Roubal told council that the city received just one bid on the project and that it came in higher than expected. Council voted to award the contract to Douglas N. Higgins, Inc., for $243,000. The project budget of $150,000 was raised to $250,000.

In a memo to council, Roubal said the company performed well on a project to add 70 double crypts to the cemetery. The company has also done many street and utility projects, including the 2010 Willis Road Project.

Councillor Dean Girbach questioned why the city received just one bid on the project. Roubal the project was well advertised and that two companies  picked up but failed to submit bid packages. He said one of the companies became busy with another project while the other just failed to complete the bid for unknown reasons.

Roubal said he was disappointed there wasn't more interest.

Councillor David Rhoads, the lone person to vote against awarding the bid, said he found it hard to understand how there could be just one bid in this economy, when contractors are scrambling for work. He noted that the Mill Pond project also came in above budget. Rhoads said he wanted the opportunity to review the request for proposal before awarding the contract.

"I'd like to know if there is something in the process that is getting in the way," Rhoads said.

The work includes excavation of earth to allow the placement of 17 single crypts and 71 double crypts, installation of a 200 foot retaining wall, extension of the existing fence, and installation of concrete monument foundations.

The cost of crypts is on the rise. Currently, a double crypt sells for $3,200. That will be raised to $4,200. The single crypts will sell for $3,200, according to Hill. Currently, there are no single crypts available.

The city will pay for the project using its Perpetual Care Fund, which has a fund balance of over $900,000.

Rhoads said he was disappointed that the city did not receive bids in line with original estimate of $180,000.

"If I had known what it cost, I am not sure I would have approved spending this kind of money to expand the cemetery," he said.

The work will be delayed until spring.