Beth E. Ashman

The key discussions and actions involved the School Department projects and general change orders/bid waivers. For the Gladstone Elementary School Project, the Board approved the award of playground equipment and rubber surfacing to Probuilt Designs LLC, not to exceed $215,000.00, after a discussion regarding the rationale for rubber surfacing over mulch for fall protection near the building. Commercial millwork for the same school was awarded to Eastern Display Concepts for $66,999.00. The Board also approved additional preconstruction services for the Apprenticeship Exploration School Renovation, awarded to Gilbane for $19,990.04, following redesign efforts to address a significant funding deficit. A change order for the 2025 City Hall Landscape Rehabilitation was approved for Lawn Beauticians, totaling $40,752.00, covering the cost of a large tree installation. Several bid waivers were processed, including a significant waiver of $56,000.00 for R.E. Coogan Heating, Inc. for a boiler replacement at the police station due to failure and safety concerns.

The agenda for the meeting includes bid openings for Fire Department Laundry Services and physical/pre-employment exams for the Fire and Police Departments. Change orders are listed for the Budlong Pool tiling modification and the 2025 Rhode Restore Paving Project. The Board is recommending the award of a contract for Concrete Floor Beams and Deck Evaluation at Fire Stations 2 & 3 to Commonwealth Engineers. A significant portion of the agenda lists proposed bid waivers across various departments, including Senior Services, Police Department, Public Works, Fleet Maintenance, Canvassing Department, and Parks & Recreation, for services and materials ranging from equipment to salt.

Key discussions during the meeting focused on change orders and bid waivers. A change order for the Budlong Pool project involved a direct purchase with Narragansett Improvement for additional blended gravel backfill, valued at $16,704.21, to achieve material savings compared to the general contractor's pricing. Another change order for the 2025 City Hall Landscape Rehabilitation, involving tree and plant material from Lawn Beauticians for $40,752.00, was tabled for further clarification. Several bid waivers were reviewed and approved across various departments, including the Police Department, Public Works, and Parks & Recreation, covering items such as strobes, graphics, hardware, lumber, electrical work, property management, and supplies. Inquiries were made regarding contracts and agreements associated with some of the waiver requests.

The meeting focused extensively on the extension of various one-year renewable contracts, including those for auto body repair, vehicle replacement parts (Ford, Dodge, General Motors), diesel truck repairs, snowplow services, and hydraulic equipment repairs. The Board also reviewed and voted on several bid waivers across multiple departments. Key bid waiver justifications included an emergency repair for a gas leak in Public Works, a sole source purchase for redoing the police dispatch center consoles using ARPA funds, and the purchase of new firearms for police officers. The Board also discussed future bidding plans for city building fire alarm maintenance.

The agenda for the Board of Contract and Purchase meeting includes several key actions. Bid openings are scheduled for a Type I Ambulance Generator Powered Module for the Fire Department and for Fire Department Protective Gear and Foam 2024. Bid awards cover a Letter of Intent for Diesel Truck Repair, Fisher Snowplow Installation/Repairs/Parts, Replacement Cars/Truck Parts, and the Design and Build for the Edgewood Highlands Playground. The School Department agenda includes architectural, engineering, OPM, and amendment services for various school projects (RIDE Stage 2, Gladstone Elementary, Garden City Elementary, Eden Park Phase 3). Contract renewals involve extending the Police Department's Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Camera contract for five years and extending the Kitchen Equipment Maintenance Contract for Senior Services. Additionally, numerous bid waivers are listed across various departments, including IT, Police, Fire, Public Works, and Building Maintenance.