The Oakdale Irrigation District Board of Directors voted unanimously at their July 21 meeting to award the bid for the South Main Canal and Tunnel improvement project to the lowest bidder, which is Magorian Mines Services of Auburn. OID General Manager Steve Knell said that because of the “tight” bids he expected that bid protests would be filed by the competing bidders.

Magorian submitted a bid for $5.26 million, while the next lowest bidder was Sierra Mountain Construction of Tuolumne County, which came in with $5.38 million. The next bid was Johnson Western Gunite with $5.43 million.

OID has never worked with Magorian but a representative from OID consultant Condor Technologies said that Condor had worked with the company. He said the company was known for underground and shotcrete work. OID director Frank Clark said he’d rather see bids go to area businesses to support the local economy.

A representative from Sierra Mountain Construction spoke during the public comments on the matter and said his company would be filing a bid protest and had not yet been allowed to review the bids. He also expressed concern about the other company’s experience with municipal projects and ability to complete the project in a timely manner.

In discussion, Oakdale’s Parks and Recreation Director Cheryl Bolin reported on the city’s progress in the water safety and water conservation programs made possible by OID’s financial contribution that kept the city pool open this summer.

OID director Steve Webb said that he is pleased with how comprehensive the program is that the city has put together.

During public comments, Escalon rice and almond farmer Herman Doornenbal formally announced that he will run for the OID Director’s Division 2 seat, currently held by Tony Taro, when the seat comes up for election in November. Seats for Steve Webb and Jack Alpers will also be up for election this year.