SSA Questions & Answers

SSA Rumor # 1    The dredging project has already been privately bid and that no performance bond was required

SSA Fact # 1:   The dredging project has not been bid, and will not be until the final project plans have been completed.  A performance bond will be required.

Question Received by the MPOA November 26, 2007

My understanding is that our subdivision voted this specific SSA down on October 28, 2007 at our Annual Meeting.  I want to go on record "why" I specifically voted against this initiative.  In principle, I agree with the concept of dredging the lake.  However, it is my understanding that both the initial $13 million dollar proposal, and the modified $5.9 million dollar proposal were privately bid.  In this economy, I find it hard to believe that there are not additional qualified potential contractors / bidders for a project of this magnitude. 

Additionally, it is my understanding that there was not a "Performance Bond" required in the specifications / bid documents.  For the amount of money involved in this scope of work, especially with major companies declaring bankruptcy (such as Neumann Homes), it would only seem prudent to require a Performance Bond.  

Response Sent by the MPOA November 26, 2007

As expressed in this morning's phone conversation, thank you for providing me with the opportunity to respond to your concerns and to let you know that those of us who are working on the dredging project are all on the same page with you regarding the safeguards necessary to successfully address the restoration of Wonder Lake. 

It is unfortunate that you misunderstood the concept of the proposal on which the SSA application is based.  The estimated cost to dredge our lake and the basis for our application was put together by our lake restoration consultant, HDR-CWI, Inc., based in Springfield, IL.  They are a nationally recognized lake restoration consultant.  We have been working with them since 1995. 

The maximum $5.9 million cost estimate is to dredge a minimum 963,000 cubic yards of sediment from significantly impacted portions of our lake.  It is the total amount requested in the SSA application.  If the bid process comes in at less than the estimate, we will then increase the size of the dredging project accordingly. 

At this point, we are asking for authorization of a maximum of $5,932,730 for the purpose of initiating and funding the plan.  If approved, we will then begin implementation of the plan, i.e. appropriate agency permit applications, engineering design, a bid process for sediment storage site engineering & construction, equipment mobilization & dredging.  Performance bonds will be a necessary requirement at each construction stage.  We are confident that any and all measures deemed by our consultant as necessary to successfully accomplish the project will be appropriately addressed.

Thank you again for providing me with the opportunity to clarify the issues related to our proposed SSA application.