Council awards 2025 chip‑seal project after one bid; city to test Minnesota spec materials

The City Council approved award of the 2025 chip‑seal project to the sole bidder, Farner Asphalt Sealers (Wisconsin), after a public hearing and staff presentation. The bid — roughly $189,700 — exceeded the city engineer’s estimate by about $32,000 (roughly 21 percent), and staff explained the difference is largely attributable to mobilization, traffic control and greater than anticipated partial‑depth patching rather than higher per‑unit prices for emulsion and aggregate.

Staff explained the city will test a Minnesota‑spec chip seal (sealed aggregate on top of emulsion with a final sealant, using granite aggregate), rather than the Iowa DOT‑style application that briefly leaves exposed limestone aggregate. The Minnesota method staff identified instead reduces dusty fine particulate and does not require the later broom‑off step common in Iowa DOT practice. City staff said a chip seal costs about one‑eighth the surface‑area cost of a 2‑inch mill and overlay and can extend pavement life by multiple years if applied before deterioration reaches the level requiring a mill and overlay.

Council also noted the project includes a short section on Locust Road in cooperation with Winneshiek County; the county will reimburse the city approximately $7,850 for that portion (about 330 feet). The motion to approve the contract award carried on roll call (all ayes recorded). Staff said the project will allow the city to evaluate the Minnesota specification on local streets and consider future use in the pavement maintenance program.

Councilmembers emphasized chip seal is a preventive treatment that can buy several years of pavement life at a fraction of mill/overlay costs if applied before advanced deterioration.

No amendments to the award were adopted at the meeting; staff will oversee construction and return to council with a summary of field performance when available.