Title
An Ordinance awarding the bid for Project No. 888 for the Curb Repair FY26 Program to Freeman Concrete Construction, LLC in the amount of $3,395,895.00 and authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement for the same. (PWC 6/9/25)
Body
Issue/Request:
An Ordinance awarding the bid for Project No. 888 for the Curb Repair FY26 Program to Freeman Concrete Construction, LLC in the amount of $3,395,895.00 and authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement for the same.
Key Issues:
• The annual Curb Repair Program replaces damaged and deteriorated curb on some of the streets scheduled for overlay the following fiscal year and updates sidewalk approaches to current specifications as required by the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act
• The Curb Repair FY26 Program will replace 93,400 lineal feet of curb line (17.7 miles) and renovate 78 sidewalk ramps (hereinafter "Project No. 888").
• Project No. 888 is funded by the 2023 NTIB Curb Replacement Fund and supplemented with the 2017 CIP Sales Tax Renewal.
• Public Works Engineering issued an advertisement for bids for the construction of Project No. 888 on May 8, 2025, guided by local policies and state statutes.
• Freeman Concrete Construction, LLC (hereinafter "Contractor") was determined to be the lowest and best bidder by City staff.
• The City desires to enter into an agreement with the Contractor to construct Project No. 888.
Proposed Committee Motion:
I move to recommend to the City Council approval of an Ordinance awarding the bid for Project No. 888 for the Curb Repair FY26 Program to Freeman Concrete Construction, LLC in the amount of $3,395,895.00 and authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement for the same.
Proposed Council Motion:
FIRST MOTION: I move for a second reading of an Ordinance awarding the bid for Project No. 888 for the Curb Repair FY26 Program to Freeman Concrete Construction, LLC in the amount of $3,395,895.00 and authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement for the same.
SECOND MOTION: I move for adoption of an Ordinance awarding the bid for Project No. 888 for the Curb Repair FY26 Program to Freeman Concrete Construction, LLC in the amount of $3,395,895.00 and authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement for the same.
Background:
The primary purpose of the annual Curb Repair Program is to replace deteriorating curb and gutter on streets scheduled to be part of the City’s Overlay program the following year. Federal law and court ruling also require updating sidewalk approaches intersecting streets to be overlaid to current specifications as required by the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act. The City has been replacing curb in this manner for over 20 years.
Much of the curb and gutter placed in the KC Metro between 1985 and 2008 was installed using local limestone aggregate that was of poor quality. Limestone aggregates produced from local quarries during this era were relatively soft compared to previous sources of limestone rock. The frequent and harsh freeze-thaw cycling, combined with wet conditions, accelerated the concrete failure process “D-cracking.” The soft limestone absorbs water, then as the water freezes, it expands and cracks the aggregate and concrete from the inside out. This process took several years to surface, and then sometime later the concrete industry and builders adopted new codes for durable aggregates in concrete.
The local limestone aggregates continue to work well for buildings, foundations and most structures not subjected to freezing and saturation. However, when used for exterior paving, curb and sidewalks, the aggregate was prone to fail within 10 years. The limestone aggregate in concrete was replaced by durable aggregates for capital projects in 2004. New development was not required to use durable aggregates until 2009.
The need for the annual curb program has been driven by the initial need to replace over 612 miles (3.23 million linear feet) of curb installed from about 1985 through 2008. The City started replacing small pieces of curb around 1998. The curb failure became widespread around 2000-2003, so larger curb replacement programs began in 2004 to address the need with the resources available. The combination of annual curb programs from 2004 to present, plus a $12 million bond issue in 2011, enabled Public Works to replace approximately 383 miles of curb thus far. 20 years of consistent work has now replaced just over 60% of the curb expected to need replacement.
Curb replacement triggers the requirement to install or improve curb ramps to create accessible routes that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Ensuring the ramps properly connect to sidewalks, it is also necessary to remove and replace some sidewalk at some locations, so that work is included in this project.
The volume of work over this time has, on rare occasions, caught up with the overlay program. This year’s program will be focused on residential neighborhoods, replacing 93,400 lineal feet (17.7 miles) of curb, replacing 21,600 square feet of sidewalk, and renovating 78 curb ramps.
Impact/Analysis:
Public Works Engineering advertised for bids for Project No. 888 on May 8, 2025. Potential bidders were notified through QuestCDN, the City website, and a mass email notification. Four construction firms were listed as plan holders. One responsive bid was received by the May 29, 2025 bid opening date. The bids were evaluated, and City staff determined Freeman Concrete Construction,LLC to be the lowest and best responsive and responsible bidder. The recommended bid is approximately 5.8% higher than City staff's estimate but, is within approved budget.
Timeline:
Start: August
Completion: late-November
Presenter
Vince Schmoeger, Project Manager
Recommendation
Staff recommends approval.
Committee Recommendation
Committee Recommendation: The Public Works Committee voted unanimously 3-0 (Councilmember Carlyle "Absent"), to recommend to City Council approval of an Ordinance awarding the bid for Project No. 888 for the Curb Repair FY26 Program to Freeman Concrete Construction, LLC in the amount of $3,395,895.00 and authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement for the same.