City Council Rejects All Bids for 2025 Pavement Preservation Project Due to Budget Overrun

The Wenatchee City Council convened on July 24, 2025, to address several key agenda items, primarily focusing on the pavement preservation project and opioid settlement agreements.

The meeting commenced with a discussion regarding the pavement preservation project, identified as City Project number 24012025. The council reviewed bids received earlier that day, with Central Washington Asphalt submitting the lowest bid at $1,865,000. However, this amount exceeded the project budget of $1,625,000. Consequently, the council proposed a motion to reject all bids and rebid the project in the fall, aiming for construction to commence in the summer of 2026. Council members expressed optimism that rebidding would yield more competitive pricing, as local contractors are currently engaged in other significant projects. The motion to reject the bids was unanimously approved.

Following the pavement discussion, Finance Director Brad Pozenjak presented a request for authorization to sign documents related to ongoing opioid settlement agreements. He explained that the state attorney general has been negotiating settlements with various opioid providers, and the city has participated in these agreements. The current motion would allow the city to sign a settlement with Purdue and any future agreements, potentially resulting in approximately $1.5 million over the next 15 years for opioid prevention and remediation efforts. Council members acknowledged the importance of these funds in addressing community issues related to opioid abuse. The motion was also unanimously approved.

The meeting concluded with a brief introduction of Jesse King, a project engineer, indicating further discussions on upcoming projects. Overall, the council's decisions reflect a proactive approach to managing city projects and addressing public health concerns through strategic funding initiatives.