City Council approves 11th Street water main and resurfacing project

Talk about it

Discontent over its performance on a 2008 project threatened to derail Pember Companies’ bid for a 2009 water main and street resurfacing project in the city of Hudson.

The City Council voted 4-2 Monday night to forgive any past shortcomings, however, and accepted the Menomonie contractor’s low bid of $416,569 on the 11th Street and Mont Croix Drive project.

The awarding of the contract is contingent upon the Hudson Public Utility Commission agreeing to pay $274,612 for 11th Street water main improvements included in the bid.

The Public Utility Commission will meet soon to consider the bid, city officials said.

If the commission agrees to the plan, work on the water main improvements and resurfacing 11th Street between Coulee Road and Wisconsin Street could begin within a few weeks. The short Mont Croix Drive, which runs west from Heggen Street, also would be resurfaced.

Pember Companies’ price for the 11th Street mill and overlay work was $141,754. The Mont Croix resurfacing would cost $21,046.

Three alderpersons expressed concerns about awarding another project to Pember Companies. Alderpersons Scot O’Malley and Alan Burchill voted against accepting the contractor’s bid.

Alderperson Randy Morrissette II said he, too, was unhappy about the length of time it took Pember Companies last year to complete the construction of three left-turn lanes on Crest View Drive at Carmichael Road.

“I don’t think Pember is the best company to go with. I think they screwed up that project,” Morrissette said.

He, nevertheless, voted to accept Pember Companies’ bid, which was $19,252 less than the next-lowest bid provided by A-1 Excavating of Bloomer.

Monarch Paving Co., Albrighton Excavating and Tower Asphalt also bid on the project.

Mayor Dean Knudson and Alderperson Lee Wyland said Pember Companies wasn’t solely responsible for the delays in the triple left-turn lane project. A sign mast that came with the wrong base was responsible for much of the delay, Knudson said, and that wasn’t all Pember Companies’ fault.

Knudson said the contractor was eager for the city’s business and motivated to have the next project go smoothly.

Burchill was unhappy about not getting a return call from Pember Companies when he phoned to get an explanation for the delay in the 2008 project.

In response to a question from Alderperson Pam Brokaw, Charles Schwartz of Bonestroo, the city’s consulting engineer, said there would be a construction timeline for the 11th Street project. The deadline for the project to be substantially completed would be Oct. 9, he said.

The council also approved special assessments to be paid by property owners for curb and gutter that will be replaced as part of the 11th Street project.

Gregory Caruso, who owns the property at 907 First St., raised questions about the $1,386 that he will pay.

He wanted to know if the street will require a full reconstruction in eight years or so, and if he’ll be assessed again for curb and gutter replacement.

Zeuli said that scenario is unlikely.

Coulee Road resurfacing

Because the Carmichael Road resurfacing now under way, as well as the 11th Street project and a street maintenance project, are expected to cost less than the original estimates, the council voted to advertise for bids on Coulee Road resurfacing project.

The resurfacing would take place between 11th Street and Second Street later this year.

City Administrator Devin Willi said the Carmichael Road project is expected to cost $75,000 less than the first estimate, and that bids on the 11th Street and street maintenance projects came in under the amounts budgeted for the work.

Public Works and Parks Director Tom Zeuli said the city also should consider seal-coating its half of Tower Road since the town of Troy will be seal-coating its half this summer.

In response to a question from Alderperson Morrissette, Zeuli said the state isn’t planning to resurface Hwy. 35 (Second Street) through the city until 2017.

“That’s a long time to wait,” he allowed.

Zeuli said he applied for federal stimulus money to have the work done earlier, but the application was denied.

He said the city receives some annual state aid for maintaining the state highway within its boundaries.

Knudson said water main under the northern portion of Second Street is scheduled to be replaced the next time the street is resurfaced.

Other action

The City Council also: