McMinnville is seeking to improve the seven intersections on Highway 70S and considering a measure to hire a company to negotiate with the state to get the work done.
“This is a proposed agreement between the city and Griggs & Maloney Inc.,” said McMinnville Public Works assistant director Brad Hennessee. “It would authorize them to be a liaison for the project, which is a multi-year TDOT transportation block grant for signalization improvements for the intersections on 70S Bypass.”
The agreement was submitted to the city Streets and Sanitation Committee.
Hennessee said the project would be for the intersections from Three Star Mall to Sunset Drive, excluding Mullican Street, which is included in a separate project. But this project does include the Vervilla/Morrison Street intersection by the high school.
Griggs & Maloney would also be seeking a grant to improve pedestrian safety at the intersection in front of Walmart.
“We would also like to authorize them to look into a Spot Safety Grant from TDOT for a pedestrian crosswalk at the bypass intersection near Walmart,” said Hennessee. “The signalization project is already underway, but the consultant selection project has changed. It’s the recommendation of the Public Works Department to hire a non-competitive third party with relevant knowledge in this area to help with negotiations between the city and RPM Transportation consultants, which is the desired firm for this project.”
A deadline of Oct. 3 has been set for Spot Safety Grant application. Consideration for a crosswalk at the Walmart intersection has been under consideration due to it being the No. 1 accident location in the county.
“We’ve installed a sidewalk on both sides of that intersection and that’s why it’s the highest priority for us,” said Hennessee. “In a sense, you’re leading people off a cliff if you build a sidewalk and leave them on their own to get across.”
The agreement allows the city to use Griggs & Maloney services for those two projects on a time and materials basis. Within the contract is a breakdown of the firm’s employee cost per hour and additional charges for mileage, meals, lodging, printing and copies.
Per hour rate: principal $150-$190; senior project manager $155-$185; project manager $110-$125; senior engineer $160; project engineer $135; engineer II $90-$115; engineer I $80-$90; senior environmental scientist/biologist $95; environmental scientist/biologist $95; senior geologist $100; environmental specialist $50-$80; drafting/CADD operator $80; technician $60; clerical $55; administrative $120; resident representative $70-$100.
Additional charges: mileage will be 60 cents per miles; meals are $36 per day; lodging is $150 per day; direct costs/subcontractor costs are cost plus 15 percent; copies are 10 cents per copy; printing ranges from 90 cents to $18 each.
At this time, the cost amount is unknown.
Hennessee said the fees have been reviewed by an engineer with relevant knowledge of current engineer-related fees and the fees were deemed to be reasonable.
“The agreement has a seven-day termination clause and is only for the two projects,” he added.
Alderman Ben Newman questioned if any of the cost could be recouped from the grants.
 “We don’t know at this point,” said Hennessee.
Committee members unanimously approved the agreement, which has been sent to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for its consideration.