Page 11 - Flathead Beacon // 10.5.16

NEWS
County Selects MC Builders for Jail Expansion
Company was the only quali ed bid left after second construction rm fails to provide required materials
BY MOLLY PRIDDY OF THE BEACON
The Flathead County Commission has chosen a design and construction team for the new jail expansion project seek- ing to add 36 beds to the Flathead County Justice Center.
MC Builders, a company made up of Martel Construction and CTA Architects Engineers, was awarded the project on Sept. 28. The company bid with a not-to- exceed price of $1,315,000, which means the project costs wouldn’t go above that number.
The expansion’s purpose is to alleviate pressure from the overburdened county jail, which was built to house 60 inmates but often has more than 100 these days, topping out in the 120s. The county has long-term plans to build a new jail, saving money each year through the budget, but in the meantime, needed a source of relief.
With the Flathead County Attorney’s O ce moving from the Justice Center’s second oor, this new jail expansion will ll it in with dozens of more beds.
The commission only had one com- pany to choose from at the meeting, since the only other company to bid – Diamond Construction – didn’t turn in a required form, thus disqualifying it from con- sideration despite coming in with a bid $200,000 lower than MC Builders.
“I’m struggling,” Commissioner Phil Mitchell said. “This was just because they didn’t turn in a form?”
County grant writer Whitney Aschen- wald said it was only fair, because in the earlier process of requesting quali ca- tions, a third party was disquali ed for a similar mistake. As nancially frustrat- ing as that may be, Aschenwald said the county can’t play favorites for its own gain.
“It wouldn’t be fair to disqualify one
A guard checks the rooms at the Flathead County jail. Beacon File Photo
rm and not the other just because they were lower in price,” she said.
The review committee for this proj- ect still ranked MC Builders despite the company being the only choice. It earned a 961 out of a possible 1,000 points, and a recommendation for selection from the committee. Commissioner Gary Krueger said the other company may have come in at a lower price, but it wasn’t evalu- ated, so the commission can’t compare because it doesn’t know how Diamond Construction would score.
County administrator Mike Pence asked David Mitchell of CTA if price changes were possible, both increases and decreases. Mitchell said the company’s
thorough knowledge of the building gave them an idea of everything they would need to install for the jail. He does not foresee price changes.
“I really don’t see any possible changes at this point,” Mitchell said. “We spent a lot of time in there, Martel and us. I think we’ve got it covered really well.”
Mitchell said there were chances for cost savings.
The commission voted unanimously to award the bid to MC Builders, though contract negotiations still need to take place. The commission directed Pence to work with MC Builders on contract negotiations.
mpriddy@ atheadbeacon.com
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Cyclist Struck by Car Near West Glacier
Returns to Ohio
Shelli Snyder was critically injured on U.S. Highway 2 on Sept. 18
BY JUSTIN FRANZ OF THE BEACON
A Cleveland cycling advocate who was hit by a car near West Glacier last month has returned to Ohio.
Shelli Snyder was biking on U.S. High- way 2 near West Glacier on Sept. 18 when she was hit from behind by a vehicle trav- eling 65 miles per hour. Snyder, who was biking from Cleveland to Seattle, suf- fered a fractured skull along with arm and leg injuries.
On Sept. 28, Snyder returned home to Cleveland where she is receiving con- tinued medical treatment, according to organizers of a Go Fund Me page that has been set up to support cyclist. As of last week, she was still in a medically induced coma in the intensive care unit.
Montana Highway Patrol Trooper John Underwood said the collision occurred near the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and Belton Stage Road, and the initial investigation suggests
Snyder was in the left passing lane, possibly getting ready to turn o the highway.
Underwood said the driver of the car was a Montana man heading to West Gla- cier. The crash is still under investiga- tion, and it is unknown if the driver will be charged.
Snyder was wearing a helmet and had appropriate re ective gear, according to
Underwood.
OCTOBER 5, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
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jfranz@ atheadbeacon.com
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