Superior council approves park, public-works and consultant contracts; sells vacant lot

The Superior Common Council on March 17 approved a series of contracts and budgeted purchases for parks, public works and municipal services, including a $434,782.95 renovation contract for Billings Park and a two-year legislative affairs agreement for the mayor.

The council approved a renovation contract for Billings Park with Udean Trucking for $434,782.95. The meeting record shows the motion was seconded and the council voted to carry the measure.

The council also awarded the construction of a 60-by-100-foot salt storage shed to A and B Construction Ltd. for $144,210. The public works director told the council the city would perform the grading and paving while the contractor provides footings and concrete bunker walls; council discussion noted an optional 10-foot addition to keep stored material back from the door and reduce moisture exposure.

Fire Station No. 2 will receive a new concrete apron after the council awarded the project to Chippewa Concrete Services Inc. for $143,230.75.

The council approved purchase of final clarifier sludge-removal equipment at a cost not to exceed $38,000 and authorized MSA to provide professional services for the city's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2016'020 consolidated plan and 2016 annual action plan for $32,000 plus $1,800 in travel expenses. Planning and port staff said consultant travel includes multiple in-person meetings and outreach forums.

Under a consent item, the council approved Amendment 1 to the professional services agreement with Design Elemental, extending the agreement through Dec. 31, 2015, at an estimated annual cost of $32,400.

The council approved the sale of city property at 1127 Grand to Gil and Michelle Rogers for $360.

Mayor Bruce C. Hagen recommended and the council approved a two-year legislative affairs consultant agreement with Bill McCaushen of Capital Consultants covering Jan. 1, 2015, through Dec. 31, 2016, at $1,416.67 per month plus expenses. Council members asked staff to request more regular reporting from the consultant; the record shows a request that McCaushen provide at least quarterly updates.

All items on the consent agenda and the individual contract awards were approved by voice vote; the official record notes "motion carried" for each item but does not list roll-call vote tallies in the meeting transcript.

Votes at a glance

- Amendment 1 to professional services agreement with Design Elemental: approved; extend through 12/31/2015; estimated annual cost $32,400; (motion recorded, no roll-call tally specified).

- Fire Station No. 2 concrete apron replacement: approved; awarded to Chippewa Concrete Services Inc.; $143,230.75.

- Billings Park renovations: approved; awarded to Udean Trucking; $434,782.95.

- Final clarifier sludge-removal equipment: approved; cost not to exceed $38,000.

- CDBG consolidated plan professional services (2016'020) and 2016 action plan: approved; MSA; $32,000 plus $1,800 travel.

- Sale of property at 1127 Grand: approved; buyer Gil and Michelle Rogers; $360.

- Salt storage shed (60' x 100'): approved; awarded to A and B Construction Ltd.; $144,210. City to perform grading and paving; contractor to provide footings and concrete bunker walls. Council discussed an optional 10-foot addition to keep material back from the door.

- Two-year legislative affairs consultant agreement: approved; Bill McCaushen, Capital Consultants; $1,416.67 per month plus expenses; council requested periodic (at least quarterly) reporting from the consultant.

Why it matters

The contracts and purchases approved March 17 fund near-term capital work and consultant support that affect city operations and public facilities in Superior. The Billings Park contract is the largest single award on the docket and will directly affect park users; the salt-storage shed and fire-station apron address maintenance and emergency-response infrastructure. The CDBG consultant award moves forward federally required planning work tied to federal Community Development Block Grant funding.

What the record shows

Council discussion on most items was brief; the CDBG contract prompted questions about the need for consultant travel for in-person meetings, and the salt-shed award generated a short exchange about the optional 10-foot addition and which party would provide earthwork. No recorded roll-call vote tallies are included in the transcript; each item was approved by voice vote and marked "motion carried."

Next steps

Contracting and procurement will proceed according to the terms approved by the council; the CDBG consultant will undertake outreach and planning work tied to the city's consolidated plan, and the legislative consultant will continue representing the city under the newly approved two-year agreement, with the council expecting periodic reporting.