2007 Minnesota Statutes

103E.511 PROCEDURE IF CONTRACT IS NOT AWARDED DUE TO BIDS OR COSTS.
    Subdivision 1. Conditions to use procedure in this section. The procedure in this section
may be used if, after a drainage system is established:
(1) the only bids received are for more than 30 percent in excess of the engineer's estimated
cost, or in excess of the benefits, less damages and other costs; or
(2) a contract is awarded, but due to unavoidable delays not caused by the contractor, the
contract cannot be completed for an amount equal to or less than the benefits, less damages
and other costs.
    Subd. 2. Petition after cost estimate error or change to lower cost. A person interested in
the drainage project may petition the drainage authority if the person determines that the engineer
made an error in the estimate of the drainage project cost or that the plans and specifications could
be changed in a manner materially affecting the cost of the drainage system without interfering
with efficiency. The petition must state the person's determinations and request that the detailed
survey report and viewers' report be referred back to the engineer and to the viewers for additional
consideration.
    Subd. 3. Petition after excessive cost due to inflation. (a) A person interested in the
drainage project may petition the drainage authority for an order to reconsider the detailed survey
report and viewers' report if the person determines:
(1) that bids were received only for a price more than 30 percent in excess of the detailed
survey report estimate because inflation increased the construction cost between the time of the
detailed survey cost estimate and the time of awarding the contract; or
(2) that after the contract was awarded there was unavoidable delay not caused by the
contractor, and between the time of awarding the contract and completion of construction inflation
increased construction costs resulting in the contract not being completed for an amount equal to
or less than the assessed benefits.
(b) The person may request in the petition that the drainage authority reconsider the original
cost estimate in the detailed survey report and viewers' report and adjust the cost estimate
consistent with the increased construction cost.
    Subd. 4. Hearing ordered after receipt of petition. After receiving a petition, the drainage
authority shall order a hearing. The order must designate the time and place of the hearing and
direct the auditor to give notice by publication.
    Subd. 5. Hearing on cost petition. (a) At the hearing the drainage authority shall consider
the petition and hear all interested parties.
(b) The drainage authority may, by order, authorize the engineer to amend the detailed survey
report, if the drainage authority determines that:
(1) the detailed survey report cost estimate was erroneous and should be corrected;
(2) the plans and specifications could be changed in a manner materially affecting the cost of
the drainage project without interfering with efficiency; and
(3) with the correction or modification a contract could be awarded within the 30 percent
limitation and equal to or less than benefits.
(c) If the drainage authority determines that the amended changes affect the amount of
benefits or damages to any property or that the benefits should be reexamined because of inflated
land values or inflated construction costs, it shall refer the viewers' report to the viewers to
reexamine the benefits and damages.
(d) The drainage authority may, by order, direct the engineer and viewers to amend their
detailed survey report and viewers' report to consider the inflationary cost increases if the drainage
authority determines that:
(1) bids were not received; or
(2) because of inflationary construction cost increases, construction under the awarded
contract cannot be completed for 30 percent or less over the detailed survey cost estimate or in
excess of the benefits, less damages and other costs.
(e) The drainage authority may continue the hearing to give the engineer or viewers
additional time to amend the reports. The jurisdiction of the drainage authority continues at
the adjourned hearing.
(f) The drainage authority has full authority to consider the amended reports and make
findings and orders. A party may appeal to the district court under section 103E.091, subdivision 1.
History: 1990 c 391 art 5 s 65