VBT accepts high quote of $68,336 to replace twp. hall HVAC units

At its regular meeting July 2, the Van Buren Township Board of Trustees unanimously accepted the high quote of $68,336 from W.J. O’Neil to replace HVAC units at the township hall.
Larry Luckett, director of public services, explained why the two less-costly quotes weren’t recommended.
He said as part of the township’s Capital Improvement Plan efforts, they solicited quotes to replace two aging HVAC units in the township hall building. That included one ten-ton unit and one three-ton unit.
“This is a planned expenditure and is part of the township’s overall plan to replace the ten original HVAC units as they are at the end of their useful life,” he said. “Ten of these units are 29 years old and are scheduled for replacement over the next three years.”
He said the township staff solicited three quotes from different companies and is recommending the quote from W.J. O’Neil in the amount of $68,336 to replace three HVAC units.
The three quotes received were:
• Air Doctors – $42,907.31
• Boone & Darr – $29,755
• W.J. O’Neill – $44,929
The bid from Boone & Darr was an incomplete bid as the proposal did not include disposal or crane rental costs and it was disqualified, Luckett said.
The quote from Air Doctors came in next, but their proposal was to provide Amana HVAC units, when the township’s specification was Trane brand HVAC units. Luckett said the township’s preference is to remain consistent with the majority of the units on the roof so it was specified.
“It is due to this, W.J. O’Neill being our primary HVAC contractor and the close cost of the bids, that we are recommending to move forward with W.J. O’Neill.”
Luckett said the original quote from W.J. O’Neill came in at $44,929, but recently the need for additional work had been identified. They discovered another unit had major mechanical issues and will need to be replaced in addition to the one that was out of order and the other that disintegrated. Due to this they requested an updated quote to add the third unit. The updated quote was $68,336.
Luckett said W.J. O’Neil is the township’s regular vendor for HVAC maintenance and has been working with the township for the past few years.
“Although their original quote was higher, we are recommending the township board move forward with their quote and the additional work,” he said. “Township staff is comfortable with their quality of work and they have successfully completed similar projects at other township facilities.”
Township Supervisor Kevin McNamara said the work was already budgeted for.
In other business at the township’s 42-minute meeting, the board:
• Approved a subrecipient agreement for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding with Wayne County for $20,000 for salary for Senior Services;
• Approved unanimously an agreement with the City of Romulus for services at the Animal Shelter that will increase costs to the township by $8,000 to $10,000 a year. New fees now will be $1,000 a month, $20 per day beyond seven days, $80 for euthanization, and a $1,500 fee for any Van Buren dogs deemed to have PARVO. Deputy Police Chief Jason Monte said the original agreement with Romulus was in 2017 and the cost hadn’t changed since then. The township has been paying $650 a month. He said in 2022-23, the township used the service for nine dogs a month and this year there are 11 dogs a month. He said they have checked around and this is the most cost-effective procedure. Supervisor McNamara pointed out that they did look at options and Romulus has been undercharging the township for many years and they were expecting a rise in cost;
• Heard Clerk Leon Wright report that there are 216 homes in Andover subdivision where he is homeowner association president. He said he is getting calls about a lot of vicious dogs attacking humans and people’s dogs. He said if people have dogs they can’t control something should be done. He said the previous week a small dog was attacked by a dog who ran out of his open garage door. He said a Rotweiller attacked another dog that was being walked. “I don’t know what we can do,” he said. “One person getting attacked is a problem.” Deputy Chief Monte said they have received calls and the township has an ordinance for dogs at large. If a dog bites, police take the dog, he said. Deputy Chief Monte said they put stray dog pictures on Facebook for people to identify. They don’t want to keep dogs longer than they have to because of the cost. Trustee Kevin Martin said the township should be proactive and encourage people to get the required dog license which identifies the owner. The license is only $5 and the owner has to show the dog is vaccinated;
• Approved a special land use request for a retail store with outdoor display and sales for Tractor Supply, to be located at the southeast corner of Hull and Sumpter Roads on a roughly 5.11-acre parcel. The property is being rezoned to SRMU – Sumpter Road Mixed Use district. The planning commission approved the preliminary site plan on May 22. With the special land use approval, the project will move into an engineering review phase. Treasurer Sharry Budd, who is the board’s liaison to the planning commission, said Tractor Supply told the commission this store will be one of the top store designs they have because of the township ordinances;
• Approved the first reading of an amendment to the zoning ordinance to provide definitions and regulations for Agricultural Retail and Tourism (Agritourism). Dan Power, director of planning and economic development, said the ordinance is to promote the sale of goods and services on sites at least 10 acres in size in agricultural areas. He said the ordinance was built around Debuck’s operation which has been operating on a seasonal temporary land use permit. “We hope this will be a way to bring activities on their properties,” Director Power said. Supervisor McNamara said, “We’re looking forward to wineries popping up all over the south part of the township”;
• Heard Clerk Wright announce that 4,200 absentee ballots have been sent out to voters and 4,200 emails have been sent out to voters announcing the ballots are coming. He also announced the MMRMA (Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority) is distributing a refund to the township of $341,000;
• Heard Supervisor McNamara announce that Trustee Donald Boynton is active with SEMCOG (Southeastern Michigan Council of Governments) now and was elected to the executive board. Trustee Boynton said the previous Thursday the township Downtown Development Authority’s grant application for $200,000 was approved by SEMCOG for the Safe Streets for All project; and
• Heard a report from Elizabeth Renaud, director of community services, on the first week of operation of the new community center. Trustee Martin said 700 people came through the building after the ribbon cutting the previous week.
Director Renaud said it was a very successful first week and it surpassed their wildest dreams because they met 100% of their membership goal. Clerk Wright said he had told them, “If you build it, they will come.” He said many people have commented to him on what a jewel the building is and people will appreciate it for years to come. He said Supervisor McNamara is a wizard for finding money and basically this was built at no cost to residents. “Now we have to figure out what we’re going to do next,” he said.