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Parking lots and bike paths

So I made a decision not to really voice my opinion about the people running for city council as I no longer live in the city limits and I can't vote, but I'm still interested in the things going on in the city. I decided I wanted to visit Mr. Tripp's website and see what he had to say. I have to admit that most of his web page was filled of the same ol' same ol' BUT there was one section that caught my eye and interested me. Mr. Tripp was talking about the new parking lot down town and how there was a $100,000 difference in the bids put in for it.( the city obviously went for the lower bid) His question was what made up that $100,000 difference or what didn't we get with that $100,000 savings. He showed pics of the new parking lot where someone had already hit the tile on the top of the "curbed" area and had ripped it off leaving it broken in many places. He also made mention(and showed pictures) of the light bark used in the planters. How long will it last?

He then had some excellent points IMO about our new bike paths. Don't get me wrong I think this was a great idea, but he had concerns about the way they were done. The asphalt was laid out over packed dirt.....nothing else. What happens to those pathways once we get a good rain or some snow? How long will they last? I think these are excellent points and questions. Also, something not mentioned on his site but noticed by me is the placement of those fences. I find it odd that they are placed on the outside and not on the inside near the road. I can understand this to a point as some have steep slopes on the other side, but at the same time by placing them on the outer sides bicyclists have nothing between them and the cars passing by but a small curb! I can't tell you how many times I've seen people on Red Apple swerve around people turning on Reeves because they are coming up on them to fast and didn't notice they were turning or they are just to impatient to wait for them to turn. Accidents waiting to happen!

Anyway the question is why does it seem like the city has a hard time doing things right the first time? Why does it seem that things aren't really thought out? Also, do you feel we should go with the cheaper route or spend a bit more and do it right the first time?

HOW DO YOU FEEL? OPINIONS WANTED! :)

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Posted by countygirl Monday, September 29, 2008 - 18:22
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Posted by Active4People on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 - 19:36
Active4People

It is all in the specifications when sending out bids and getting responses. You get that for which you specifically ask. The job is no better than the specifications. You can hold a contractor to the specs. They get paid for meeting the specs. If the specs are trash, you will get (AND pay for) trash. I have no idea if the specs on the project were tight enough (but, it sounds not). You can accept the lowest bid if the specifications are right.

Posted by countygirl on Monday, September 29, 2008 - 20:10
countygirl

I thought since I found these issues on his site it was only fair to quote my source. I wasn't trying to make it political by saying where I found it... I was just being honest.

Posted by countygirl on Monday, September 29, 2008 - 20:05
countygirl

I live right next to the bike path.....I didn't take any ones word for it. I watched how poorly it was constructed with my own eyes. Again, I think it was a great idea, but if we needed more money(to do it right) we should have waited and gotten more money THEN done it in a way that would benefit people for years to come not just for a few.

Posted by dreamkiller on Monday, September 29, 2008 - 20:02

Sorry I thought you made it political when you said you found it on Tripp4 council,com! My bad.  Got to go work to pay for more bike paths.

Posted by countygirl on Monday, September 29, 2008 - 19:58
countygirl

Dreamkiller, this blog is about the two issues stated above, not about the people running for office. I would love your opinions on both and you've already given some good info, but please keep this about the topics above and don't make it political. Thank you!

Posted by dreamkiller on Monday, September 29, 2008 - 19:58

Most of the bike path is in the county. You live in Golden Hills call Bill Fisher and ask him why the bike path was done the way it was. Call the city and ask them to. Please don't take this nut jobs word for it or the word from some nut jobs website. Just because someone says something on this site does not make it true. Just like any topic on here get the facts for yourself. Dam I am going to be late for work.                           

Posted by countygirl on Monday, September 29, 2008 - 19:50
countygirl

 The bike path was a co op between the city, golden weeds and the county.

This is good to know. I didn't know this, but I guess it makes sense. If all were involved then all of them should have done it right and not just the city is to blame for it when it's rubble in a couple years.

Cal Trans made them keep it so many feet from the road.

This is intresting to. Thanks for the info.

Have you looked at the other 3 guys websites?

Yes, I have.

Posted by dreamkiller on Monday, September 29, 2008 - 19:35

You have to specify what you want in the bid. If you want road base down 1st then you have to ask for it. Then all the bids will go up.Tripp says nice things about the bike path on one page of his site then bad mouths it on another. We do not need another Stan.

Posted by dreamkiller on Monday, September 29, 2008 - 19:30

The guy with the higher bid would have cut corners as well. You have to watch these guys no matter what you pay them.

Posted by GregL on Monday, September 29, 2008 - 19:24
GregL

Well, I don't know how the bidding and acceptance process goes, but..... you usually get what you pay for.  Requiring the city to take the lowest bid is wrong, IMHO.  Other factors must be considered besides the almighty dollar.  As you stated CG, what did we miss out on by saving $100k, better construction possibly.  Cheaper is not always better.

Posted by dreamkiller on Monday, September 29, 2008 - 19:16

I think the city has to take the lower bid by law. Do you find it odd that his website is all negative. The plastic fence is for looks it will not stop a car. Cal Trans made them keep it so many feet from the road. What did you think about his personal attacks? Have you looked at the other 3 guys websites? Tripp and Henry are running to help their personal stores. They are endorsed by Stan. When elected they will vote Stan as Mayor. Do you want that? The bike path was a co op between the city, golden weeds and the county. Shane and ED are running to support their egos. I am voting for the lesser of 4 evils. I am voting for Ed and Shane, because I think we can get the most out of them. Once Tripp and Henry make things better for their stores Henry will move back home to Bear Valley and Tripp will go back to the unknown.