The Carroll City Council awarded a contract for summer tree removal at last night’s (Monday) meeting following a lengthy discussion about the chosen contractor’s perceived reliability. Public Works Director Randy Krauel explains the scope of the work the city put out for bid.
Of the 16 bids received, they ranged from Top Saw Tree Service’s low bid to Wolfe General Construction’s, which came in at $327,530. Ward 4 Councilwoman Carolyn Siemann says Top Saw’s bid coming in well below the other contractors caused her to look into the company further.
Siemann says the company has ties to an individual who was arrested for felony home repair fraud in Mississippi, the address it is registered to in Wellman has fallen into disrepair, and Top Saw Tree Service, LLC, allowed its registration with the state to expire, leading to her hesitancy to support this contractor. She cited a previous example of the council selecting the lowest bidder.
Siemann recommended that the council select the second-lowest bid, $58,430, from Western Iowa Tree Service out of Auburn. At-Large Councilwoman JJ Schreck says references from previous clients should also carry some weight. Krauel says the ones he spoke with reported no issues with the company.
City Attorney Dave Bruner recommends that the city require Top Saw Tree Service to renew its LLC if it is to accept its bid. Ward 2 Councilman Jason Atherton made a motion to accept the $47,985 Top Saw bid, which was seconded by Ward 3 Councilman Kyle Bauer. It passed on a 5-1 vote, with Siemann being the sole nay vote cast. Work is expected to be completed no later than Oct. 4.
