Special meeting

Park County Board of County Commissioners
Special Meeting
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Chairman Dossie Overfield called to order a special meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Park County, Wyoming, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Present were Vice Chairman, Scott Steward, Commissioners Lee Livingston, Scott Mangold, Lloyd Thiel and First Deputy Clerk Hans Odde.
Chairman Overfield led the audience in the pledge of allegiance.
Executive Session Pursuant to W.S. § 16-4-405(a)(ix)
Commissioner Livingston made a motion to enter into executive session per W.S. § 16-4-405(a)(ix). Commissioner Mangold seconded and the motion carried.
Commissioner Livingston made a motion to go out of executive session. Commissioner Steward seconded and the Motion carried.
No decisions were made in this executive session.
Park County Commissioners
Re: Revisit Award of Construction of Willwood Road Improvements Phase 1
Chairman Overfield explained the reason for this special meeting is to review and revisit the motion from May 21, 2024, to award the Willwood Road Improvements Phase 1 project contract to Wilson Brothers Construction.
County Attorney Skoric stated that the original motion from May 21, 2024, was improper in that it stated “After discussion Commissioner Thiel moved to award Wilson Brothers for the Willwood project in the amount of $6,054,795.00, Commissioner Steward seconded. The motion was modified to include subject to county attorney review and approval, motion carried.” and as county attorney he does not have that authority.
Commissioner Livingston made a motion to revisit the May 21, 2024, motion to award the Willwood Road Improvement project to Wilson Brothers Construction. Commissioner Mangold seconded and the motion carried with Commissioner Thiel dissenting.
County Engineer Brian Edwards provided an overview of what led to today’s meeting. When bids were opened and reviewed on May 21, 2024, Mountain Construction appeared to be the low bidder however there was a clerical/math error in their bid that led to the consulting engineer Cody Schatz of Engineering Associates to recommend awarding the bit to the next low bidder, Wilson Brothers Construction. Owner of Mountain Construction, Stewart Frost explained to the commissioners how the error occurred and that their bottom-line number was correct even with the noted error and still stands by his bid. Nick Wilson of Wilson Brother Construction stated that his company would normally defend the bid process and ask that the commissioners to stand by their original motion. However, he clearly sees the clerical error in Mountain Construction’s bid and has no intention to contest the award if the commissioners decide to make the award to Mountain Construction. Further, Nick Wilson acknowledged that the corrected amount for Bid Item 9 is consistent with the subcontractor bid for that item that was provided to Mountain Construction by Wilson Brothers prior to the bid opening.
Commissioner Livingston felt that the commissioners have the authority to make this right and that there is an obligation to do so with public funds. Commissioner Thiel stated that he feels the county should uphold the integrity of the bid process and that contractors are not going to want to bid county projects in the future due to today’s actions. Commissioner Mangold reiterated that the commissioners need to do what is best with public funding.
Commissioner Thiel made a motion to award the bid for the Willwood Road Improvement Phase 1 Project to Wilson Brothers Construction. This motion died due to the lack of a second.
Commissioner Livingston made a motion to award the bid for the Willwood Road Improvement Phase 1 Project to Mountain Construction for the Bid amount of $5,786,683.94 with the corrected unit prices on clearing and grubbing (Bid Item 9) and have the County Attorney approve the contract as to form. Commissioner Steward seconded and the motion carried with Commissioner Thiel dissenting.
Park County Commissioners
Re: Catering Permit Application Elk Horn Bar and Grill
First Deputy Clerk Hans Odde presented a catering permit application from the Elk Horn Bar and Grill in Meeteetse to sell alcoholic beverages at the Pitchfork Ranch Horse Sale May 31 – June 2, 2024.
Commissioner Mangold made a motion to approve the catering permit as presented. Commissioner Steward seconded the motion carried.
Adjournment
Commissioner Mangold made a motion to adjourn and Commissioner Livingston seconded and the motion carried.
Dossie Overfield, Chairwoman
Scott Steward, Vice Chairman
Lee Livingston, Commissioner
Scott Mangold, Commissioner
Lloyd Thiel, Commissioner
Attest:
Hans Odde, First Deputy County Clerk
Publ., Tues., June 25, 2024