The Stoddard County Senate Bill 40 board is considering more than $337,000 in renovations to the Sheltered Workshop.
The board was presented Friday with a proposal, but is researching whether appropriate work was done to get competitive bids for the project, and is also considering a proposal that gives the building over to the proposed contractor in lieu of certain payments.
Rick Shipman Construction Superintendent Scott Murphy made the presentation to the board. Devin Miller, director of the workshop, had previously met with both Murphy and Rick Shipman. The three had walked through the building to see what needed to be repaired in the facility.
Murphy handed out paperwork to each board member detailing the proposal for phase one of the repairs. The repairs included the removal of all existing roof and sidewall metal, replacing damaged steel purlins, re-attaching and welding existing loose purlins, re-anchoring and resetting structural steel columns that have been knocked loose by forklift use, removing an old concrete ramp so that portion of the building can be enclosed, set two steel columns, add new steel purlins and anchors as a portion of the building can be enclosed from exterior elements, installing new 6-inch concrete slab where the old ramp was removed, installing a new 26 ga R-ribbed metal light tan on sidewalls, installing new 26 ga R-ribbed metal on the roof, corner trim, eave rack trim, OHD trim, and ridge cap, installing new gutters and downspouts on the entire building and installing flashing where needed. The total cost of the bid is $337,552.70.
SB40 board members Don Rhodes and Dale Holman expressed concerns about the legality of the bid. Because the SB40 Board is funded by taxpayer money, it must advertise for bids when undertaking projects. These concerns stem from the actions of an earlier SB40 Board that built two buildings just north of Dexter without taking bids, which was not legal, according to the discussion. No members of the current SB40 Board were on that board.
Murphy tried to ease concerns by saying that if he (Rick Shipman Consideration) was hired as the contractor (a decision that must be made by the Sheltered Workshop Board) he would take care of the bids. Murphy said he had already advertised the job for bids. Rhodes asked how and Murphy responded that he had reached out to multiple construction companies via phone, email, etc. and had set a midnight deadline on April 22 for the bids.
Rhodes and Holman expressed doubt about this method. Murphy said he used this same method on a job in Zalma also funded by taxpayer money. When asked what the job was, Murphy said it was the construction/repair of the Zalma High School gym. The gym sustained extensive damage during storms last fall.
Murphy said he would give the additional bids, of which he believed there would be two additional bids, to Miller for consideration by both the workshop and SB40 boards. Murphy also offered references in Zalma whom the SB40 Board could speak to about the process.
The decision to hire is up to the workshop board and the SB40 board must decide if they wish to back the project financially.
Rhodes asked Murphy what he would make, should he be the contractor but another construction bid was chosen. Murphy said he would make nothing. He said because of who the workshop serves and is a non-profit, he would oversee the work as the contractor at no charge. He also said Shipman bid the job low for the same reasons in an effort to help out.
A second option was presented by Murphy from Rick Shipman. The option would see Rick Shipman do the renovation to the building per the first option with no payment and nothing owed. After the renovations are completed, the building would be signed over to Rick and Barbara Shipman. The building is currently owned by the Sheltered Workshop.
Rental payments of $6,000 would begin after a period of 10 years, providing the tenant had taken care of the building. During the 10-year period, Rick and Barbara Shipman would hold and have the right to renovate, remodel or redesign anything on the property that wouldn’t interfere with the workflow of the facility. Option B would adhere to city, county and state codes, those making the suggestion said.
No decisions were made at the meeting and Rhodes said he would check to be sure this method of bidding the jobs would be legal. Both boards are scheduled to meet in the coming weeks, the workshop board on May 10 and SB40 on May 19. Murphy said the bid by Rick Shipman is good for 20 days due to fluctuating construction material cost. He agreed to extend the bid time to the SB40 meeting, which would have been outside of the 20 days. The initial decisions to hire a contractor and review of the bids must be made by the workshop board. The SB40 Board would then need to approve the financing of the project.