The Blue Light Podcast, hosted by Tyler Ramsbey, has been a way to help promote Garretson, its people, and its businesses since its inception. It has been popular enough that he has now expanded it to Dell Rapids and Pipestone. The podcast is streamed live each week on Facebook, with Tyler interviewing his featured guest for approximately 15-20 minutes.
Mayor Greg Beaner was a guest on the Blue Light Podcast on Wednesday, February 19. This is part two of the transcript of the podcast. Part one can be found in the February 27 issue of the Gazette. This interview transcript has been modified for length and clarity. The interviews in full may always be found by searching for the Blue Light Podcast on Facebook, and the full interview can be watched above. (Part Two begins at approximately 9 minutes in.)
Tyler: Well let’s talk about some more negative slash positive long-term-type stuff. You mentioned the street project, that’s probably been the biggest conversation over the past year, is the street project, for good or for bad. Can you provide us with any updates on this entire project, what went wrong, what is the city doing to find a solution?
Greg: So right now, the solution is to complete the project.
Tyler: That’s a great solution to have.
Greg: Right. The bond company has two bids, Hulstein Excavating and First Rate Excavating. It’s my understanding that First Rate is the low bid. The bond company is working with them, trying to figure a few things out, and the plan is to start this spring.
Tyler: And just for clarity, now that it’s gone to the bonding company, the city is essentially hands off, is that correct? You guys no longer choose the bidder, you’re not overseeing the project in any way, it’s all in the bonding company. The city has no control over it, is that correct or wrong?
Greg: Our control has gone. We met with the bonding agent, and with our lawyers, and he was like, who do you want, who do you not want? Obviously, the company that we’re kicking out is on the not-want [list]. And he said, other than that, we want companies that can do it quickly, we’re not going to be able to get subcontractors, we’re not dealing with that. Obviously the rates are going to go up to have someone come in and start. And he said, we’re not interested in low bid, we’re going to pick who can do it properly. I was very assured by what they told us.
Article continued on Part 2- Online subscription required
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