WASHINGTON

With three of seven bids coming in well below estimate, supervisors Tuesday accepted the lowest one of $888,108.25 from Cornerstone Excavating of Washington. County Engineer Jacob Thorius said he was “pleasantly surprised” at the competitive bidding that went from a high of $1,521,300 down to $985,808.50, $899,376.60 and to the winning lowest.

The project, currently in Phase 1 that still has 66 working days, is for the railroad crossing project on Dogwood Avenue (W21) from the pavement south approximately five-tenths of a mile.

Costs for the project (Phase1 and 2) are divided among the county, the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad and the Iowa Department of Transportation with the railroad and county each paying 20% of costs and the DOT, with federal grant funds, 60%.

Prior to the vote, the county engineer explained that with weather delays on Phase 1, they could not yet set a schedule for a start date, especially for exactly when the site would be available for installation of the crossing guard and its approaches.

Discussion included a possible rebidding with Thorius noting the county “got a good price” well below the original estimate of $1,075,000 and that there is no certainty if the bidding would stay the same.

He suggested that the board could table actions for a week and have discussions with the low bidder regarding the start of the work, especially regarding what kind of job commitments Cornerstone already has. Estimates for a start ranged from September to October, depending on the completion of Phase one, which was affected by flooding.

Board members noted that the contractor could include a provision for starting as soon as the site is available and agreed with Thorius that the bids were “very good.”

The motion to accept the low bid was unanimous, as was the motion for the agreement with the state for the Iowa Section 130 Crossing Safety Improvement Project (for federal funds) for installing railroad crossing signals at the Dogwood Avenue crossing.

The project is a result of the increase in rail traffic in the county by the Canadian Pacific Railway and affiliates that is estimated will see 17 trains coming through the county daily.

In another project, the board discussed the plan for a new Secondary Roads shop on the county owned plot at 302 W Main Street in Washington. The board learned that it would meet all requirements including a six-foot setback from the driveway of a nearby private house. The site is just north of the courthouse.

In its final agenda item, the board discussed possible changes regarding the method of determining compensation for the county’s elected officials, including possible disbanding of the compensation board. In the process, it was noted that public comment may be sought and to consider a public hearing on the issue. Members agreed that no decision would be made Tuesday, that this was” just the start of the discussion” about a change with more information to be sought. It was tabled to a later meeting and a likely work session.

In other business, the board approved hiring Mya Tolbert, auditor’s office Real Estate Administrator/Subdivision Coordinator, at $22.59 an hour, effective July 15.

The board approved termination for Justin A. Peterson, shop foreman for Secondary Roads, effective July 12.

The board acknowledged Homestead credits for 13 disabled veterans 65 and older as well as military exemption allowances and disallowances.