Council to consider rejecting bids

After all bids came in over budget, the Odessa City Council will look at rejecting proposals for a sealcoat project at its Tuesday meeting.

Three bids, from Jones Brothers of Odessa, Ronald Wagner Construction of Kendalia and Lipham Construction of Aspermont, submitted bids ranging from $2.983 million to $3.635 million. All were above the engineer's estimate of $2.6 million and the 2009 sealcoat program budget of $2.65 million.

The city's engineering division has adjusted the scope of the project and updated unit costs to stay within budget. It plans to rebid the job starting March 24. The work is scheduled to start June 1.

The council will also consider revising an economic development agreement with Industrial Piping Specialists. The agreement called for the company to create 22 jobs and invest at least $1 million for a project in the Odessa Industrial Development Corp. Industrial Park in exchange for a grant of $365,000.

But, as of Jan. 27, the company had only invested $800,000 and hired 12 full-time employees. The revision would give the company an extension to April 1.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the Council Chambers, on the fifth floor of City Hall.

In other action, the council will consider:

>> Guidelines to become a "Film Friendly Texas" community.

>> Revising fees for private use of the Floyd Gwin swimming pool.

>> Supporting legislative changes regarding a competitive electric market.

>> Revisions that will require the Citizens Golf Advisory Committee to meet a minimum of six times a year instead of the current once a month.