JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
Jasper’s city council has recently approved three separate agenda items pertaining the community’s ongoing public pavilion project.
During the meeting, Jasper Mayor Jason Turner presented to the city board two bids for construction material testing from major engineering firms Terracon and UES. Terracon’s bid was worth $15,640 and UES’s bid was $18,955, leaving Terracon as the lower of the two bidders, and ultimately the accepted bidder, during the meeting.
Turner explained the purpose of the testing is to ensure all construction material and the property are functional and ready for use prior to the construction of the pavilion.
“They test everything, including the paving for the parking lot so that way we’re covered on our side,” said Turner. “We want to make sure that everything is what we say we’re getting, we’re getting.”
After the board’s approval of Terracon’s bid, the council moved forward with reviewing a resolution regarding the authorization of allocated funds for the same project. Turner explained the funds pertain to payment towards the architect for the project, as the architect is paid through estimated expenses for the project. Upon all estimates made, the total cost for the project is $138,652.
“That changes it from $84,270 to $138,652,” explained Turner. “We just have to pass the resolution to honor that and that we have the contingency money for it.”
Additionally, a third agenda item regarding the establishment of an escrow account for the project was reviewed, as an escrow account is required by state law to be made for any major project. The escrow account allows for a 5% retainage in funds for the contractor, the funds to go towards the contractor once the project is officially complete.
“You stick it back to make sure they’re doing what they’re supposed to as they release that bid,” said Turner. “It’s coverage for the city.”
Both items, alongside Terracon’s bid, were unanimously approved by Jasper’s city board, ensuring one step closer towards the construction of the public pavilion to officially begin.