Lucas County commissioners on Tuesday agreed to spend tens of thousands of dollars more to a moving company that encountered problems moving furniture and technology for the Lucas County Children Services Board, which has moved from 701 Adams St. to its new facility at 333 N. Summit St.
Last November, commissioners approved the $122,613 bid of OMA Vantage, which beat out the other company that submitted a bid of $194,675, a $72,062 difference in cost.
OMA Vantage recently asked the county for $65,193.50 more because of problems it encountered with the final move of items between the two buildings.
Several new issues encountered by the company required overtime and additional crews and trucks. The moving company was unable to access the loading dock at 333 N. Summit because of a dumpster taking up the dock for a half day, causing overtime costs. The following day, the moving crew returned and encountered two different vendors blocking the loading dock for three hours, again requiring overtime.
In addition, more overtime was used because of an excessive amount of furniture that was newly tagged by Lucas County Children Services Board staff that was moved, which was considered outside the scope of the original agreement with OMA Vantage. It required additional crews and trucks to work another half day.
“There was one day at least that required them to bring in a whole new crew of 15 people, two additional trucks, and overtime to keep things on schedule,” said Bridgette Kabat, the county’s senior project manager and point person on the project.
Commissioner Pete Gerken said the additional cost of moving was a small price to pay considering the large effort to move the agency.
“This is a major move of 400 people downtown from an old building into a new building. It takes a lot of work. Things are going to happen,” said Mr. Gerken. “We’re not outside the project budget. The CSB is in a new place that is worthy of their work, a dignified workplace delivering services to a vulnerable population. The money is worth it. This is a small price to pay to get a major agency in a proper place to do work in the community.”
The building on Adams Street is currently up for real estate auction.
“We’re hoping to get some bids on that building in the next few months,” Mr. Gerken said.
Also at the meeting, commissioners approved the bid of Communica for rebranding and logo design services for Lucas County and Lucas County Canine Care and Control.
The county has maintained its current brand and logo for more than a decade. The county’s communications department believes it is time for something more attractive and modern that represents the county’s mission of public service to residents, businesses, and visitors of Lucas County.
Lucas County Canine Care and Control, while part of Lucas County, maintains its own brand. As it prepares to open a new state-of-the-art dog shelter at 14th and Monroe streets next year, a new logo and brand standards will be important when re-introducing the services the department provides to the community.
Commissioners approved Communica’s bid of $55,000 to rebrand and provide logo design services for Lucas County and Lucas County Canine Care and Control.
“It's one contract. We wanted to have the same firm work on both logos so that there is continuity there,” said Sarah Elms, communications director for Lucas County commissioners.
Most Popular
Comments / 0