Shafter council approves new basketball courts

The Shafter City Council approved a bid from D.L. Brown Construction to build two new basketball courts at Veterans Park in Shafter. There were seven bidders for the project, and the bids ranged from $220,000 to $440,000. The actual low-bidder was Courts and Greens, but the bid was ultimately rejected. Public Works Director Michael James said, "Courts and Greens submitted their bid as a sub-contractor for another bidder. This is prohibited in our bidding process. This prevents the appearance, if not the opportunity for collusive bid practices."

Courts and Greens were given an opportunity to explain the irregularity, but they didn't give a reasonable explanation for the oversight, therefore, their bid was rejected.

D.L. Brown Construction will build two full-sized basketball courts and provide lighting for the courts. The Council approved that the project will cost no more than $380,000, with an additional $15,000 to test materials. $50,000 of the money will be used for court fencing.

The council also approved a bid of $225,000 for the purpose of decorative street lighting in the downtown area. These lights will consist of decorative light poles, as well as the lights, and gravel and landscaping surrounding the area. The award went to Loop Electric Co., who are currently completing a lighting project at Mannel Park.

In other action, the council presented a Proclamation to the Shafter Boxing Club and Miguel Ayon for being the Grand Marshals for this year's Cinco de Mayo Celebration. Aayon and his group have been representing the city of Shafter in the Boxing landscape for over 10 years. They just came back form Independence, MO as National Champions and Top Boxing Club in the United States.