Title
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO BID AND AWARD THE CLOCK TOWER REPAIR PROJECT; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Brief Description: This project involves the disassembly of the Hudson clock works and fabrication of new replacement parts for the refurbishing of the Hudson clock tower clock works, and reassembly to restore the clock mechanism to normal operations.
Body
Legislative History
None
Purpose & Explanation
Hudson’s historic Clock Tower was built in 1912. To ensure the clock continuously runs and operates correctly, the clock works, and structure is regularly inspected, serviced, adjusted, and repaired as required as part of the annual clock maintenance program. The Public Properties staff along with the clock company had estimated that refurbishing of the works should be scheduled within the 2023-2025 timeframe. Subsequently, the refurbishing project was included in the City’s Five-Year Financial Plan for the year 2024. Upon routine inspections and servicing of the clock earlier this year, the clock company determined that the clock should be shut down due to the continued wear of brass bushings, gears, and other integral parts of the mechanism causing damage to the works. As such, staff wishes to move funding from the 2024 five-year plan to complete the refurbishing project this year. The clock works has not been refurbished since 1999-2000. As parts and components for the clock works are no longer manufactured, they must be built by hand. The projected timeframe for project completion is 8-10 weeks. Below is an estimated project cost.
Refurbishing Project Estimate: $40,000.00
Vendor Estimate - Roger Gordon Clockmakers Limited $38,600.00
Staff received one quote for the repairs to confirm the accuracy of staff’s estimate. Having received an estimate that is quite comparable to staff’s estimate, Public Works staff is prepared to bid the project publicly. If City Council would like to discuss the option of replacing the current mechanical clock works with an automated design system that would operate the clock faces, a rough estimate provided shows the cost to be $40,000-$60,000 based on selected options. Replacing the mechanical clock works with a technologically advanced automated system would have an expected life in excess of 25 years.
The City Administration is requesting City Council approval to authorize the City Manager to bid and award the Clock Tower Repair Project.
Legal Authority for Proposed Legislation
Pursuant to Charter Section 6.04:
X Will be competitively bid and advertised for three consecutive weeks; bid tab attached: No
Joint or Cooperative Purchase Program
Professional Services
_Other
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted (Account #, $)
X Supplemental Appropriation Required- 101-7700-52520:
Appropriation Not Required.
Does this legislation require use of an emergency clause?
X Yes Staff is requesting the use of an emergency clause to expedite the repair timeline.
No
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff recommends that City Council authorize the City Manager to bid and award the Clock Tower Repair Project.
Submitted by,
Thomas Sheridan, Interim City Manager
Frank J. Comeriato, Jr., Assistant City Manager- Operations
Eric Hutchinson, Assistant Public Works Director- Services