At the July 28 meeting of the city council, Craig Britton, city engineer, announced that only one bidder, Rochester Sand & Gravel, had submitted a bid for the 2025 Street Project.
Britton explained the base bid for the mill & overlay street project is $1,544,563. An alternative bid that includes a prefabricated modular gravity block wall is $1,568,260. The project includes construction of retaining walls on Avenue B and the resurfacing of portions of 22 streets. Britton said the Public Works Committee preferred the acceptance of the alternative bid. Construction is expected to begin in late September.
Discussion followed over the fact that the city had not yet learned what the bond interest rate will be. Councilor Paul Novotny said he needed more information on the financing side; he also favored the alternative bid including the wall. Councilor Josh Broadwater agreed that he wanted to have the interest rate number first before awarding the project.
Britton noted the city had 65 days to award the bid. A motion was approved to table the awarding of the project until the next city council meeting when they expect to know the interest rate for the bond.
Other Business in Brief
•The city’s 16-year-old ambulance had been put up for sale on public surplus. One bid in the amount of $3,200 had been received. Councilor Mike Urban noted they have been holding onto this ambulance for a year while trying to find a buyer; “I don’t know if we can do better.” Councilors reluctantly accepted the bid for the sale of the ambulance.
•Street closures for Western Days were approved.
•A resolution accepting a $45,000 donation to the city from the Chatfield Firefighters Activity Association was approved. The gambling funds are to be used for truck and equipment needs.
•The Olmsted County maintenance agreement was approved.
•Councilor Pam Bluhm handed out matching t-shirts to city council members for Western Days.
•Broadwater commented on the chair in City Park. Every single day someone stops to take a picture with the chair.
•City Administrator Michele Peterson read a thank you note from a passing motorist that experienced car trouble in the city. Her car would not start, and several community members offered to help. The woman wanted to express her thanks to all those who stopped to help her.