The City of Billings, Parks, Recreation and Public Lands (PRPL), in partnership with the Billings Chamber of Commerce, has worked together for over 2 years to make improvements at the Yellowstone Kelly's Grave Site at Swords Park.  Called Yellowstone Kelly Interpretative Site, these improvements will provide better vehicular and pedestrian access, interpretative and educational stations, grave site improvements and donor recognition.  Most of the funding for this project is from private donations that are channeled through the Chamber and the PRPL Foundation.  The City Council approved spending $50,000 of Park District 1 funds to initiate the project. 

Plans and Specifications for the Yellowstone Kelly Interpretative Site were prepared and sent out for bids on September 2, 2016 and were opened on September 20, 2016.  There were five bidders, see bid tabulation Attachment A.  Sanderson Stewart, consultant for the project, has recommended Hardy Construction of Billings be awarded the project in the amount of $507,901.80, see Notice of Award Attachment B.    

City Council may:

• Approve awarding this project to Hardy Construction , or;
• Disapprove awarding the contract and provide staff with additional guidance. 

The City may need to fund short term costs while donations are being made over 4-5 years.  This was disclosed to the City Council when it approved donation pledge agreements at the August 22, 2016 meeting.  Additional donations are being sought but some value engineering to align costs with donations may be needed before beginning the construction work.  The contractor is aware that these changes may be needed. 

Staff recommends that the City Council award a contract to Hardy Construction of Billings for $507,901.80 to construct the Yellowstone Kelly Interpretive Site at Swords Park.