'Routine' Bid Award Draws Anger, Bewilderment From Council

The terms bandied around at the dais on Wednesday night were "legal extortion," "crazy," "anger," and "flabbergasted." What ever could the council members be talking about? As it turns out, a 'routine' agenda item that turned out to be not-so-routine.

Councilman Stephen Wellinghorst expressed horror and dismay after finding out that due to a state law, work on adding what appear to be simple changes to The Stable and Kasschau Band Shell has totaled roughly $111,000. Those changes? Two doors and a few ramps to meet ADA compliance at The Stable and a floor rehabilitation at the Bandshell.

While the village received grants – which have partially been allocated – offsetting the cost, Wellinghorst and others took offense to a state law called the "Prevailing Wage Law."

Deputy Mayor Tom Riche said the law – in existence for over 60 years – requires workers be paid up to three or four times their rate once the project eclipses roughly the $11,000 mark.

"For example, if a carpenter was making $25 an hour to do a normal carpentry job at the home, when he does it for a municipality or school system or county or state government, he's paid close to $100 an hour for that same job," said Riche. "It's legalized extortion . . . And that's why we pay up to double or triple for some projects."

Unions claim the better wages ensure more experienced and qualified workers, as well as higher levels of productivity that shorten construction periods. The result, they claim, is that taxpayers ultimately save money.

"Even if it is a grant, someone's paying for it," Wellinghorst said in obvious frustration with the process and system.

Asked by Mayor Keith Killion if he had a solution, Wellinghorst conceded he did not.

"I don't have an answer for it, I just think as a taxpayer it's offensive. I'm tired of it," he said. "It just seems to me $111,000 for a concrete walkway and two automatic doors is so far beyond reality and rationalization, I would like to look into it further and see if there's anything else that can be done."

Automatic Doors LLC will be doing all the work related to the project, which Village Manager Ken Gabbert said included rails, doors, concrete work, stablization, and retaining walls.

The 'routine' agenda item was taken off the consent agenda list; Gabbert and Wellinghorst will discuss the issue in greater depth in the upcoming days.