Re: Poll: What do you think of the new signs on 30-A?
Actually, the contract you speak of is different than this one. The signage for the bike trail is a different company and was the one just approved to the "local" bidder.
Here is the article from the Defuniak Herald, note the bold at the bottom
Progress seen with wayfinding sign projects
By DOTTY NIST
Plans and funding are in place for the first phase of a wayfinding sign project on south Walton County's 18-mile-long bicycle/pedestrian trail, according to District 5 Commissioner Cindy Meadows. Meadows' goal is to have the signs in place within the next few months on the Timpoochee Trail multi-use path.
This is the first phase of signage planned for the trail, and will be devoted to improving safety for trailer users. Pavement striping will be an additional part of the project, Meadows said.
The trail, which runs parallel with CR-30A, crosses scores of driveways and entrances to subdivisions and other developments, plus street intersections. The project will identify these intersection, driveway and entrance crossings on the trail with warning signs, Meadows explained. The project will include mile-marker signs, she added. Original plans called for 19 mile marker signs and 101 warning signs.
The Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) ran into a problem on Dec. 11 when two companies who had bid for the task of producing and installing the signs both presented bids higher than $150,000, the amount the county had estimated for the project and for which funds had been identified.
One-third of the cost was to be paid from the South Walton Tourist Development Council (TDC) budget, one-third from the recreational plat fee account, and one-third from deobligation of other accounts.
An evaluation committee had selected two companies for final presentations before the BCC on Dec. 11. One of the companies, SignTek, bid approximately $40,000 in excess of the estimated amount. The other company, Architectural Graphics, also bid higher than the estimated amount at $162,700. SignTek is located within the local area in Shalimar while Architectural Graphics is headquartered in Orlando.
After hearing the presentations, Meadows expressed discomfort about the out-of-area company. The presenters had stressed their unfamiliarity with Walton County and noted that they would need assistance in identifying locations for the signs. One of the principals stated they had increased the bid amount because, "We've never met you people."
It was also unclear if the company would be able to complete the work within the optimum time frame, since one of the principals planned to be out of the country during the entire month of February.
Meadows had commented that she would prefer going with a local company and had found the out-of-area company's statements regarding lack of knowledge about Walton County "scary." She first motioned to approve the SignTek bid, but after hearing some citizen comments withdrew that motion.
County bid documents and guidelines provide the option for the county to enter negotiations regarding price with the best-ranked proposer.
At the suggestion of District 3 Commissioner Larry Jones, Meadows made a second motion to set up a meeting between SignTek, herself and county Public Works staff to research what portion of the project could be completed within the county's $150,000 estimated cost amount. The motion was approved unanimously and the meeting set up.
"It worked out really well," Meadows reported on Jan. 4. She said that certain modifications to the project, including reducing the size of the mile marker signs, elimination of some other type signs, and arranging for public works to do some of the sign installation, the price of the Phase I project has been reduced to approximately $160,000. She added that the tourism council has agreed to fund the additional $10,000 through their budget.
The TDC also had sign news last week. This week they will be installing wayfinding signs on roadways countywide, including "gateway" signs welcoming visitors to Walton County and community identification and directional wayfinding signs in south Walton County. The project is the culmination of four years' work by council staff and consultants.
The signs are similar in appearance to the ones identifying the South Walton Annex and South Walton High School. Sonny Mares of the TDC said all signs are expected to be in place by the end of the week.
Actually, the contract you speak of is different than this one. The signage for the bike trail is a different company and was the one just approved to the "local" bidder.
Here is the article from the Defuniak Herald, note the bold at the bottom
Progress seen with wayfinding sign projects
By DOTTY NIST
Plans and funding are in place for the first phase of a wayfinding sign project on south Walton County's 18-mile-long bicycle/pedestrian trail, according to District 5 Commissioner Cindy Meadows. Meadows' goal is to have the signs in place within the next few months on the Timpoochee Trail multi-use path.
This is the first phase of signage planned for the trail, and will be devoted to improving safety for trailer users. Pavement striping will be an additional part of the project, Meadows said.
The trail, which runs parallel with CR-30A, crosses scores of driveways and entrances to subdivisions and other developments, plus street intersections. The project will identify these intersection, driveway and entrance crossings on the trail with warning signs, Meadows explained. The project will include mile-marker signs, she added. Original plans called for 19 mile marker signs and 101 warning signs.
The Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) ran into a problem on Dec. 11 when two companies who had bid for the task of producing and installing the signs both presented bids higher than $150,000, the amount the county had estimated for the project and for which funds had been identified.
One-third of the cost was to be paid from the South Walton Tourist Development Council (TDC) budget, one-third from the recreational plat fee account, and one-third from deobligation of other accounts.
An evaluation committee had selected two companies for final presentations before the BCC on Dec. 11. One of the companies, SignTek, bid approximately $40,000 in excess of the estimated amount. The other company, Architectural Graphics, also bid higher than the estimated amount at $162,700. SignTek is located within the local area in Shalimar while Architectural Graphics is headquartered in Orlando.
After hearing the presentations, Meadows expressed discomfort about the out-of-area company. The presenters had stressed their unfamiliarity with Walton County and noted that they would need assistance in identifying locations for the signs. One of the principals stated they had increased the bid amount because, "We've never met you people."
It was also unclear if the company would be able to complete the work within the optimum time frame, since one of the principals planned to be out of the country during the entire month of February.
Meadows had commented that she would prefer going with a local company and had found the out-of-area company's statements regarding lack of knowledge about Walton County "scary." She first motioned to approve the SignTek bid, but after hearing some citizen comments withdrew that motion.
County bid documents and guidelines provide the option for the county to enter negotiations regarding price with the best-ranked proposer.
At the suggestion of District 3 Commissioner Larry Jones, Meadows made a second motion to set up a meeting between SignTek, herself and county Public Works staff to research what portion of the project could be completed within the county's $150,000 estimated cost amount. The motion was approved unanimously and the meeting set up.
"It worked out really well," Meadows reported on Jan. 4. She said that certain modifications to the project, including reducing the size of the mile marker signs, elimination of some other type signs, and arranging for public works to do some of the sign installation, the price of the Phase I project has been reduced to approximately $160,000. She added that the tourism council has agreed to fund the additional $10,000 through their budget.
The TDC also had sign news last week. This week they will be installing wayfinding signs on roadways countywide, including "gateway" signs welcoming visitors to Walton County and community identification and directional wayfinding signs in south Walton County. The project is the culmination of four years' work by council staff and consultants.
The signs are similar in appearance to the ones identifying the South Walton Annex and South Walton High School. Sonny Mares of the TDC said all signs are expected to be in place by the end of the week.
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