Select intersections along First Ave. E. to receive ADA signal improvements

Five signalized intersections along First Avenue East in Newton will get ADA signals with audible sound and pedestrian countdown heads installed, and a significant portion of the project will be paid for with a more than $102,000 Traffic Safety Improvement Program (TSIP) grant.

Affected streets include intersections at East Eighth Street, East 12th Street, East 14th Street, East 19th Street and East 23rd Street on First Avenue East.

According to city council agenda documents, those with specific disabilities may find it difficult to know when it is safe to cross the intersection without the ADA signals. The loud sounds and countdown signal improvements are commonly used to help people with disabilities to cross the street.

Three bids were received by the city: the Des Moines-based Kline Electric for $149,506; the Newton-based Van Mannen Electric for $150,600; and the Grimes-based Iowa Signal for $171,404. The engineer’s construction cost estimate was $173,572.50. Much of the costs will be covered by the grant.

The TSIP grant — funded with Road Use Tax funds — covers exactly $102,420.

Even though Kline Electric was the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, council member Stacy Simbro asked why the council couldn’t choose the local bid from Van Mannen, which was only $1,094 higher than the low bid. Jody Rhone, the acting public works director, said the city does have a 5 percent local preference policy.

“In our current policy, that excludes projects because when that was created we did not want to get into any issues violating public bidding laws,” Rhone said. “So those were intentionally excluded. We’ve had some discussion with the city attorney, and we may be looking at revising that policy.”

However, because there is a DOT grant on this particular project and the project has already been bid, Rhone said changing that policy midstream would not be kosher. The city is following its policies and public bidding laws, but choosing another bidder would not work in this particular situation.

Simbro said, “So because it is a DOT grant that has its own rules and keeps us from looking at it? OK. Thank you.”

The council approved the project in a 6-0 vote. The remaining funds not paid for by the grant will be paid using 2022 bond proceeds.