Norfolk tables ice rink contract bid for Johnson Park

NORFOLK, Neb. -- A decision to hire an ice rink contractor has been tabled until next week.

The city of Norfolk made the decision Monday during their council meeting.

The city was considering accepting a contract bid from Custom Ice Inc., costing $284,303. However, Powell requested the item be tabled until next month.

Powell said after struggling to find one, a potential general contractor had reached out, which would change how they structure the project if one is hired.

"We’ve been struggling with finding a general contractor to oversee this project, so we're going to have to go with two subs, which would be customized and a concrete contractor,” Powell said. “But we were able here at the last minute to find someone that is interested in talking with us to be our general. Hopefully, that works out, if not we will go back to our plan.”

The Johnson Park project was originally structured to be one project. However, due to a large bid price, the city broke up the project into smaller packages.

The city said by breaking the project up and giving the project to multiple contractors they can still stay in their original budget for the renovations.

A motion was made to table the decision until Aug. 7 and was approved unanimously.

Powell then said people in the audience wished to speak in favor of the ice rink.

However, because a Motion to table the event had already been passed, no public comments could be taken.

The city will take up the contract bid at its next city council meeting.