Creston town council voted at its June 26 regular meeting to approve a bid of nearly $190,000 for its 2012 micro-surfacing (commonly known as seal coating) program.
The bid, by Miller Capilano Maintenance Corporation, was more than $130,000 lower than the competing bid of West-Can Seal Coating Inc.
When asked why the bids were dramatically different, Iain Bell, engineering and public works director, said the higher bid came in from a company that was already busy this year.
“I think it is fair to say that the lowest bidder is hungrier — it is a newer company that it trying to build it business and we are the beneficiary.”
The 2012 town capital budget included nearly $250,000 for the road preservation program, intended to “employ a network level, long-term strategy to enhance pavement performance by using a cost-effective practices that extends pavement life, improves safety and meets motorist expectations.”
Council briefs
•A letter from the Creston Valley Motorcycle Association about plans to hold its first annual Toy Run on September was received for information.
•A letter from the Agricultural Land Commission about a request for exclusion for a property at 220 Arrowsmith Rd. from the land reserve was also received for information.
Coun. Wes Graham initially wanted council to support the application — “because it’s good for the economy” — but eventually supported a motion to receive the letter, which doesn’t require any response by the town. Coun. Jerry Schmalz opposed the motion after stating that removal of properties in the land reserve erodes the local agricultural base.
The property in question currently houses a hay baling and storage facility west of Highway 21.
•A 20-year-old loader will be replaced with a new John Deere machine after council voted to accept the lowest offer among five different proposals from three different supplies. The John Deere loader will be purchased for $133,500 from Brandt Tractor Ltd., which has an outlet in Castlegar. No local bids were received.
•Council voted to approve the Town of Creston 2011 annual report, a summary of last year’s activities that includes audited financial information.
•An updated fireworks regulation bylaw was given three readings.
•A preliminary report about the 2012 parking data survey indicates little change from last year, when it was determined that compliance of two-hour parking limits at meters and in parking lots is high.
