Bothell Sound

Transportation · Oct 8, 2024

Bothell council was scheduled to vote on a $273,995 safety construction contract — 38% above the city's own estimate

Ahead of its Oct. 8, 2024 meeting, Bothell's council was scheduled to consider a $273,995 construction contract with Reaper Construction for Safety Projects Package 1, a bid staff recommended despite coming in well above the engineer's estimate 1.

What the records say

In materials published ahead of the Oct. 8, 2024 meeting, the Bothell City Council was scheduled to consider adopting a resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign a construction contract with Reaper Construction for Safety Projects Package 1, in the amount of $273,995.00 1. The item, listed on the consent agenda as Agenda Bill #158, included a draft resolution and a construction agreement as attachments 1. The project consists of a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) crossing with ADA ramp upgrades, four solar-powered LED stop signs, and eight solar-powered radar speed feedback signs 1. Reaper Construction was the low bidder among three bids received Sept. 19, 2024, but the bid exceeded the city's engineer's estimate of $197,990 by about $76,005; staff recommended award anyway, citing the similarity of all three bids and a review confirming the design was efficient 1. The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome.

  • The council was scheduled to consider a resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign a construction contract with Reaper Construction for Safety Projects Package 1 1.
  • The proposed contract amount was $273,995.00, against an engineer's estimate of $197,990; staff recommended award because all three bids were similar and the design review found no cost-saving modifications 1.
  • The package includes an RRFB crossing with ADA ramp upgrades, four solar-powered LED stop signs, and eight solar-powered radar speed feedback signs 1.
  • The contract's special provisions require the RRFB crossing to be completed no later than Dec. 31, 2024, and the overall project substantially complete no later than Jan. 17, 2025 1.
  • Funding comes from three capital programs adopted in the 2023-2029 Capital Facilities Plan — the Collector Corridor Safety Program, Safety Upgrade and Replacement Program, and Crosswalk Program — with a combined 2023-2024 construction budget of $714,000 1.

Why it matters

The contract would spend $273,995 in public capital funds on traffic-calming equipment installed on city streets, and the bid-over-estimate gap is the kind of cost decision residents may want to track. The contract documents also set a work pace residents could observe: the RRFB crossing was to be completed no later than Dec. 31, 2024, with the overall project substantially complete no later than Jan. 17, 2025 1.

What changed / what's next

  • The proposed change would authorize the City Manager to sign a $273,995.00 construction contract with Reaper Construction for Safety Projects Package 1 1.
  • The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome; whether the council adopted the resolution and executed the contract is not shown in the supplied packet 1.
  • If awarded, the contract's own deadlines — RRFB completion by Dec. 31, 2024 and substantial completion by Jan. 17, 2025 — give residents a benchmark for whether the safety equipment actually appears on city streets 1.