Bid on U.S. 160 project awarded

City agreed to pay for underground infrastructure









MONTE VISTA — The Monte Vista City Council Thursday awarded a $1,635,047 bid for the U.S. Highway 160 utilities, which are part of the city’s agreement with the Colorado Dept. of Transportation (CDOT) to redo the highway through town.

CDOT’s paving project won’t begin until next year or later.

Work isn’t expected to begin until August and the apparent successful bidder is RMS Utilities.

Public Works Director Robert Vance said the notice of bid was sent out on May 24, then the public works and Reynolds Engineering conducted a project walk-through and explained the project in detail, answering questions as needed.

There were three bidders, Vance said, adding that a fourth declined to bid due to scheduling issues.

He pointed out that there are also some cost savings than can be obtained and asked the council to approve a change order for them.

City Finance Director Debbie Phillips said in a memo that it will be necessary to utilize $699,579 of the city service utility fund’s cash balance, leaving $353,129, or about four months of operational reserve in the cash balance.

This, she said, is enough to meet loan requirements with the Colorado Water Resource and Power Development Authority, in which the utility fund is required to maintain and operations and maintenance reserve equal to three months.

While the city budgeted some $450,000 for the project, that figure was based on preliminary plans.

Now, based on recent bid proposals, project costs are expected to be $845,392, so the city council will be asked to approve a supplemental budget resolution during the year.

Vance said this is the biggest city project on tap right now and some other projects may need to be lessened to replenish the fund.

In addition, Vance reported, the final plans for the skatepark are in and work will begin soon.

Annexation approved

The council approved on second reading and ordinance the annexation of about 2.11 acres of land adjacent to the new high school, to be zoned CH (commercial highway).



Other business

• The city allocated $251 to become a Level C sponsor of the upcoming SLV Folk Art and Fiber Fest. It was noted that the city had not made donations to the event in the past.

• A change of trade name was approved for Southwest Liquor Store, which is now known as Southwest Liquor LLC.

• A liquor license renewal was approved for the SLV Superbowl Corp. tavern.