City looks ahead at street reconstruction projects

City Council
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     Street reconstruction concerning two major city streets is in the works.

     During the May 7 Monticello City Council meeting, City Administrator Doug Herman and City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath gave an update to the council looking ahead to the near future.

     The streets in question are Sycamore Street, tentatively from First through Seventh Street; and Chestnut Street, either from First through Third and just Second and Third Streets.

     Snyder & Associates presented a proposed timeline, depending upon when the council wants to tackle one or both of the street reconstruction projects. If the council chooses to move on these projects, they would need to limit the scope of the projects by early July, approve contracts in August, approve final plans in February 2019, with bids due in March, and construction to begin in June 2019. Herman informed the council that the city would be in a position to make contractor payments likely by July 2019.

     Schwickerath said he’s not pushing any project on the council but wants to think far enough ahead.

     The council asked whether the city should take on both projects now or wait a year on one. Herman said with climbing interest rates, he would advise borrowing the money and designing for both at the same time, and have cost estimates in place.

     When it comes to the brick streets in Monticello, Herman relayed that Mayor Brian Wolken (who was absent from the meeting) wishes to explore options on those streets, whether the street material is gravel-based on permeable concrete with the bricks placed on top.

     “The mayor wants to investigate all of the options and alternatives out there,” Herman noted.

     Council member Tom Yeoman expressed concern with the reconstruction of Sycamore Street during the week of the Great Jones County Fair. “Can we work around that?” he asked.

     “That’s such a significant project,” said Herman. “I don’t know how we can work around it.”

     Schwickerath suggested the council could proceed with the project in phases, tackling a few blocks at a time and have the road remain gravel during the week of the fair.

     “How much would that add to the project?” asked Council member Johnny Russ, referring to phasing out a major street project.

     Schwickerath said they might see favorable bids allowing the contractor do complete the project in two construction seasons, or see an increase in re-mobilization costs.

     “Generally it’s best to pave at once, but you might get better prices in two phases,” offered Schwickerath. “There are some trade-offs.”

     Council member Dave Goedken voiced that he would like to see the street projects start as early as possible in the spring so the final product isn’t impacted by winter weather.

     “I don’t like pushing things back until after the fair,” said Goedken. “It’s better to get them completed with an early start date.”

     Herman, Schwickerath, and Public Works Director Brant LaGrange plan to meet together to look into phasing out the projects and how the potential additional costs would impact the overall projects.

In other city business:

     • After securing three bids to repair the HVAC system inside the Berndes Center, the council voted to table awarding the project.

     The bids ranged from $27,200.07 and $16,328. The lowest bid was submitted by a contractor who initially put in the HVAC system, causing the council to raise some questions.

     Due to the wide range of difference between the low and high bid, Herman and LaGrange met with the low bidder to review the specs. Herman said the bid was low due to the contractor’s familiarity with the facility and system.

     Herman told the council if they were concerned with the price difference, they could hire someone to write up some specs for the project and go back out for bid.

     “I’m not comfortable with going with the low bid,” said Yeoman.

     Herman said hiring someone to put the projects specs together could cost a couple thousand dollars.

     “I hate to go through the expense,” said Goedken, “but it sets the standards they have to meet in the end.”

 

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