The Collin County Observer

Commissioners engage in heated debate
by Heather M. Smith, Staff writer / Plano Star Courier

Two county engineering projects garnered a sizzling debate among County Commissioners during Monday’s court meeting.

The first project is an engineering services agreement with Lockwood, Andrews and Newnam, Inc. for the improvements to SH 289 from Parvin Branch south of U.S. 380 to north of U.S. 380. The budget amendment will total $1,031,884.

Commissioner Matt Shaheen suggested going back to Lockwood, Andrew and Newnam, Inc. and renegotiate for a new, lower bid. He said if the county can’t get a lower bid, they should go to a different company. Shaheen said he didn’t want to change the scope of the project; he just wants to negotiate the company’s hourly rate. However, Commissioner Joe Jaynes argued that now is the time to move on the project.

“I don’t want to see this important project have to wait,” Jaynes said.

Jaynes said he believes the area around State Highway 289 and U.S. 380 will be a huge development area and urged his fellow commissioners to press on with the project.

The court approved the item in a 4-1 vote, with Shaheen voting against. While Judge Keith Self voted with the majority of the court, he cautioned them against making hasty decisions on budget issues, likening their decisions to the “rush” decision regarding the stimulus package passed by Congress.

The second project is an engineering services agreement with HNTB Corporation for the Lake Lavon bridge study. The budget amendment will total $381,875 and cost 3,100 man hours. HNTB will charge $256 per hour for a principal worker, while a different company, Dannenbaum, would charge $169 per hour for the same level worker.

“We are paying a premium,” Shaheen said. “There’s no doubt that any one of the companies can do the project.”

Tensions were high while commissioners debated their points regarding the project. Again, Shaheen suggested going back to HNTB to renegotiate their rates. Self said that if ever there was a project where the county could make its point n that they want engineering companies to bring competitive bids n this is the project. Commissioner Kathy Ward agreed and said she would like to go back to HNTB and ask them to change their hourly rate. HNTB had already lowered their bid by 7 percent.

“Just because we have half a million dollars doesn’t mean we have to spend $500,000,” Self said.

This would be the third time the Lake Lavon bridge study would be pushed back, but Shaheen said it would not be a slow process to get more bids. He said he’s willing to delay the project a couple of weeks if it will save taxpayers money.

“We just need to get this project moving; my patience is growing thin on these delays,” Commissioner Jerry Hoagland said. “This project won’t only be delayed a couple of weeks, it will be longer.”

After much debate, Shaheen motioned to go back to HNTB and ask for an additional 13 percent reduction and Ward seconded the motion. Everyone except Hoagland and Jaynes voted for the motion.

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