Oil prices impacting Bismarck project

It’s not just at the pump that skyrocketing oil prices are hurting the consumer. The volatile oil market is making it difficult for Bismarck city engineer Mel Bullinger to put together a seal coat project.

The project involves 214 blocks or five units scattered throughout community, a total of 300 center lane miles of roadway. The city attempted to bid the project last year  but ended up rejecting all bids.

Bullinger, in discussions with contractors, determined that project may be too large to do in one construction season, especially since the city only allows seal coats in July. Contractors said it would take double crews working double time to meet the city’s parameters.

Contractors were asked to bid on two parts, the first year involved all the street repair work and the second year application of the seal coat.

Bullinger estimated the first part of the project at $1.5 million. Northern Improvement submitted at bid of $2.4 million and Mariner Construction  was at just over $2 million. Northern’s bid exceeded the 40 percent overage allowed by state law and was rejected. Mariners was 31.3 percent over the engineer’s estimate and Bullinger recommended it be awarded.

Northern Improvement was the only bidder on the second phase of the work. But Northern included conditions and provisions  based on worries about the oil market and how much the prices of asphalt and oil will go up in a year. It included the escalator clause because there are problems getting  suppliers to provide a price quote that far in advance, according to Bullinger.

Allowing the escalator clause would be a deviation from past practices, Bullinger added, and after discussion with the city attorney it was decided not to accept the bid. The city engineer added that Northern’s bid basically said that if the city was unable to make adjustments based on prices the bid was null and void. It was decided not to accept the bid since other contractors were not given information they could bid the project in such a manner.

“If we’re willing to accept that kind of clause, everybody needs to know in advance,” Bullinger said.

Bullinger recommended that the city go ahead with the first part of the project and then next year rebid the chip seal project.

The city can’t afford to keep putting off the work, Bullinger concedes, because the longer it goes with out repairs and seal coat the bigger and more expensive the problem is going to be.

Petitions due Monday

Remember, if you want to run for city commission, county commission, park board or school board, petitions must be in at 4 p.m. Monday.

Over in Lincoln, there are three seats up for election in the June 13 primary, but only one petition was submitted as of Thursday, that of Andrew Horning. There are two seats open on the Lincoln park board and Rob Dickson had turned in the only petition.

A lot of interest is being shown in the Bismarck Park Board with seven candidates vying for three seats. Mark Gilbertson and incumbent Tim Mueller added their names this week to go along with incumbent Shannon Bakke, Jennifer DeForest, Bill Kalanek, Kevin Stewart, and Paul Quist.

Less interest is being shown for the Bismarck City Commission. So far incumbent John Warford is the only person running for mayor.

Incumbent Connie Sprynczynatyk is looking to retain a seat on the commission while Parrell Grossman, Steven Schwab and Mike Motschenbacher have turned in petitions.

Jerome Gengel submitted the lone petition for two positions on the Mandan City Commission, though incumbents Stan Scott and Tim Helbling have been gathering signatures. Kevin Kautzman turned in  the only petition for the Mandan Park Board.

For the Burleigh County Commission petitions are in for Maxine Olson-Hill, Mike Seminary, Mark Armstrong, Terry Thompson, incumbents Scott Johnson and Doug Schonert. The top six vote getters in the primary advance to the November general election.

Petitions turned in over at Morton County include: incumbent Paul Trauger for auditor; treasurer Mary (Fahlsing) Olson and incumbent Vicki Lippert; incumbent Allen Koppy for state’s attorney; incumbent Bob Erhardt for sheriff; for county commissioner Terry Schantz, incumbent Jim Boehm, Bernie Stein, Mandan, incumbent Bob Christensen, and Paula Messmer; for county recorder: Leon Samuel and Carrole Schaner.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 701-250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)