Zenke Incorporated, La Crescent, was awarded the Grove Marshall street and utility improvement project contract at the Caledonia City Council meeting on Monday, February 27.
City Engineer Matthew Mohs, Bolton & Menk, Inc., reported that the city received five bids for the Grove Marshall street and utility improvement project. The bids ranged from $1,110,645.51 to $1,609,412.10. Mohs noted that the $1,110,645.51 bid from Zenke Incorporated was an “outstanding bid.”
Mohs explained the two reasons for Zenke’s bid coming in at nearly a half million dollars less than his estimate of $1,548,614.25. First, the contaminated soil that needs to be mitigated or planned for turned out to be considerably less than initially expected. Second, the current competitive bidding environment and timing. Councilman stated, “timing is everything.”
Mohs said that the last two community meetings were well attended, and one more will be scheduled in March.
Mohs ended by complimenting city staff, Casey and his staff, and Jake’s involvement, for doing an excellent job and being instrumental in the planning process. Mohs noted that he prefers hands-on collaboration and that the city staff did an outstanding job engaging with the property owners.
Mayor DeWayne (Tank) Schroeder called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and led the council, staff, and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance. The board unanimously approved the minutes from the February 13 regular city council meeting.
Council members in attendance were Mayor Schroeder, Amanda Ninneman, David Fitzpatrick, and Ryan Stenzel. Robert (Bob) Klug was absent.
The consent agenda was unanimously approved in its entirety, including a contract to purchase mosquito abatement services, a phone stipend for the custodian, BMO Harris bank signature card replacement, addition at Caledonia Haulers, clerk/administrator attendance at the Minnesota City Managers Association conference and accepted a $5,000 donation from Caledonia Haulers to the Caledonia fire department.
A community member who referred to himself as Rose presented his case to the council regarding the feral cat problem in his neighborhood. Rose pleaded with the city to set traps on his property as he was tired of the cats having kittens in his shed and making messes in his yard. The mayor assured the resident, “We will work on it for you.”
Public Works/Zoning Director Casey Klug said that the motor for well 6 will be installed as soon as it arrives, which should be in the middle of March. A week ago, Sunday night, a water main broke at the dead end of South Pine and it was noted that there was a nice little geyser. It was repaired the following morning. The $3,500 left from the Arlin Falck grant was used to clean up Sprague Woods.
Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson reported that the city received one job application for the account payable position and expects more near the deadline. Dickson also reminded the council that Houston County’s CBD moratorium meeting is Tuesday evening, February 28.
Eric Lynne, Donohue and Associates, presented an in-depth update on the wastewater treatment facility and submitted payment request 12 for $178,201.87 to the council. After his report, Lynne, Director Klug, and Dickson recommended not approving the payment request until Wapasha Construction Co. submits a purchase order for the lined pipe, with the council agreeing. Councilmember Stenzel praised Lynne for an excellent presentation.
Lynne informed the council that there is no way that Wapasha Construction Co. will meet the contract deadline and has asked to extend the deadline from September 28, 2023, to September 28, 2024. Lynne repeated twice that it had not been approved.
In other business, the council:
• Tabled the 2023 chip seal bid until the March 27 council meeting;
• Agreed to discuss the agriculture zone land use ordinance number 2022-01 at the March 13 council meeting before the March 27 deadline for the moratorium;
• Awarded the 2023 classification and compensation study bid to David Drown Associates, Minneapolis, not to exceed $17,500;
• Reviewed the overtime report for January 23 through February 5. Mayor Schroeder praised the street department for a thorough job removing snow after the last snowstorm.
The mayor called for a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:14 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled Caledonia City Council meeting is Monday, March 13, 2023, at 6 p.m. at the Caledonia City Hall, 231 E. Main Street, Caledonia. The public is invited to attend.
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