TONTOGANY – The project engineer for Otsego’s new elementary school wants to be able to go to bid before
other schools do in the region.
During Otsego’s regular board of education meeting on Wednesday, held after its organizational meeting,
Adam Rosebrock updated members on the project. He has worked closely with Bradley Garmann, of Garmann
Miller Architects and Engineers, on the various construction documents.
"We’re confident with the documents we’ve received from Brad, you’re at budget," Rosebrock told
the board. "You have a real nice set of plans. There’s a good bid climate."
When he mentioned that he wanted to get the construction bid documents out before other school projects
in the area, board member Elizabeth Gorski asked why. Rosebrock explained it would benefit Otsego’s
project because of the current slowdown in the industry.
"They’re looking forward to getting new projects," he said.
If a smaller construction company puts in a bid for a school project before Otsego’s, it may not submit
any more bids for other projects. Larger construction companies may bid several projects, then hire out
some of the work to smaller companies, also pulling them away from bidding for Otsego’s project.
Competing early in 2011 with Otsego’s elementary school construction will be North Baltimore’s grades
6-12 building, plus projects in Findlay, Vanguard-Sentinel and Port Clinton, among others.
Later in the meeting the board approved construction document development Phase Submission by a vote of
3-2, with Judy Snyder and Mark Tolles voting "no." The action allows Rosebrock’s company,
Rupp/Rosebrock Inc. of Liberty Center, to advertise for bids today and Jan. 20. A pre-bid meeting will
be held Jan. 26th at 1 p.m. in the auditorium to answer questions from prospective bidders.
Rosebrock said bids are expected to be due on Feb. 9. Companies with which he is not familiar will be
checked out on their projects to see the quality of their work, and he wants to make sure each company
offering a bid is financially sound.
As to the number of bidders, he said the Pettisville school project received six bids from the nine or 10
companies which asked for the specs. Rosebrock said he anticipates Otsego will get at least four bids
for its project.
Garmann, also present at the meeting, announced the good news that the project has all its permits in
place from Wood County.
"That’s great news so we’re not held up with the permit process," he said. Garmann added the
plans are ready to go to Becker Impressions for printing, and the company announces on its Web site
which construction companies have asked for copies of the plans so people can keep track of that
information.
During a discussion of school district finances, Superintendent James Garber said one consideration
toward cuts totaling $1 million is eliminating boys golf. But golf Coach Don Smith was in the audience
and read his statement that it was not a good sport to cut because it’s a "forever" sport,
unlike football or basketball which athletes may not play after high school or college. He said he still
golfs with his father, who is 87.
Also, cutting golf would save the district only $5,000, a cost which could be reduced if the 17 golfers
paid $60 for pay-to-participate.
Board member Jamie Harter told Smith no decisions will be made until late March or early April, but he
reminded audience members that a million dollars has to be cut since revenues have been decreasing.
In his report, Treasurer Adam Koch said the district collected $2.5 million in income tax in fiscal years
2008 and 2009. But in FY2010 the collection was down by a little over $300,000. And his prediction is
that for FY2010 and 2011, Otsego will see a total decrease of $650,000 to $675,000.
Also during the meeting, the board:
¥ Re-elected Tolles as president. Snyder was elected vice president.
¥ Set its regular meetings for the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the junior high library.