By Justine Kelsie

Construction projects to begin faster: city council wrap-up

May 8, 2018 | 6:11 AM

The time it will take for a construction project to get underway in the city has been cut in half.

During a meeting Monday, City Council passed a motion to change the way tenders are awarded in Grande Prairie. Instead of taking between 85 to 140 days to award a tender, it will now take between 30 to 40 days to get a project underway.

Items that are already in the City’s Budget will no longer have to go through a standing committee and then through a following City Council meeting. A change to Bylaw C-1277C will have City Administration deal will future tenders.

“Particularly, with the short construction season that we have in the north, we saw an opportunity to improve the process so that we could have faster turn around time. It would allow more flexibility for management and ultimately, deliver a better service to residents,” said Mayor Bill Given.

The process would deal with purchasing products as well.

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“Previously, we had defined thresholds. Any projects that were more expensive than a set amount, had to be approved by council. It made significant delays in turn-around time,” the Mayor said.

City Procurement Manager Laurie Gaudet says the process will help more than timelines.

“Gaining these efficiencies for our contractors are, hopefully, going to increase our bidding pool,” she said. “Show the bidders that Grande Prairie is a wonderful place to do bidding procurement as well.”

With these changes, Gaudet says she would like to see tender awards not weighing so heavily on cost.

“Often public agencies are seen as valuing a low-bid culture. We don’t want to be seen as that here at the City of Grande Prairie.”

With bid validity of 90 days, Gaudet explains that sometimes the cost could go up if a report doesn’t get through committee and council meetings fast enough.

Other council highlights:

Mayor Bill Given was given a hat and belt buckle from the Grande Prairie Stompede President Trevor Denis. Denis also thanked the city for past grants and support. The bus pilot project for the event was also noted as something the Stompede board was thankful for.

County Councillor Bob Marshall made a presentation on behalf of the Water North Coalition. The Coalition is asking the City to get back involved. The information has been referred to a standing committee.

Council has approved a tender for the Richmond Storm Ponds to Green Acres Ventures Ltd. at $3,194,401.50 exclusive of GST. Funds were re-allocated from other projects.