Wausau Board of Public Works approves $1.5 million service-line contract, signs off on multiple payments and licenses

The Wausau Board of Public Works voted April 2 to award a $1,499,800 contract to 5 Star Energies for the Aquifol Lehi service-line replacement and approved several other payments, license renewals and contract amendments affecting city infrastructure and utilities.

The actions advance water-system work and routine public-works maintenance: the board approved final payments to contractors, released retainage on a sewer project and authorized two pay estimates for lead-service-line replacement work performed by Community Infrastructure Partners.

Board business matters dominated the roughly seven-minute public meeting. Board members handled open bids and quotes, authorized final contract payments and signed licenses and maintenance agreements. Several items were returned to staff for further review and one open bid deadline was extended to the next meeting.

The board awarded the Aquifol Lehi service-line replacement to 5 Star Energies after one bid was received. A board member stated there was “one bid from 5 Star Energies” and moved to approve the award; the motion was seconded by Matt and carried by voice vote. The contract value announced in the meeting was $1,499,800.

The board approved final payment to Patricus Construction for the 2024 sidewalk repair work, releasing $4,178.01 after inspector verification. The board also approved release of retainage to Hossons Incorporated for the Eighth Avenue sanitary sewer interceptor replacement, authorizing $10,000 for 100% completion as reported by staff.

On water infrastructure, the board approved two pay estimates with Community Infrastructure Partners for replacement of lead service lines. Staff described payment No. 10 as work remaining from the previous year in the amount of $268,492.50 and payment No. 9 as work completed so far in the 2025 season in the amount of $302,277.15; the board approved both pay estimates.

An amendment to an annual landscape-maintenance agreement with Revi Design was approved to add early- and late-season work at remote utility sites and treatment facilities; staff indicated the city has contracted landscaping the last few summers because of difficulty hiring seasonal help, and that costs could fall if summer hires become available.

Several procurement items were returned to staff for additional review or scheduled for later action. The board opened bids or quotations for the public safety building chiller replacement (deadline extended to April 8), storm-sewer materials (multiple quotes received from Ferguson, BOEM Companies, Coromain and others) and one response to an RFP for emergency shelter services received from an entity identified in the meeting as "Buck Cross" or "the Cross." The emergency-shelter proposal was opened and referred back to police department staff for recommendation.

The board also approved licenses described as Portland cement concrete and concrete-paving licenses for Patricus (Patricus/Patricus Construction was used in the meeting) and Myron Construction, with at least one approval noted as “subject to” final review by board staff. A Batumanus concrete-paving license from Myron Construction was also approved subject to review.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of draft minutes (March 17 meeting): motion to approve carried by voice vote. - Award contract — Aquifol Lehi service-line replacement to 5 Star Energies: contract amount $1,499,800; motion made and seconded; approved by voice vote. - Final payment — 2024 sidewalk repair, Patricus Construction: $4,178.01; approved. - Release retainage — 740 Eighth Avenue sanitary sewer interceptor replacement, Hossons Incorporated: $10,000; approved. - Pay estimates with Community Infrastructure Partners (lead service-line replacement): Payment No. 10 — $268,492.50 (work from prior year); Payment No. 9 — $302,277.15 (2025 season work); both approved. - Amendment — Revi Design landscape-maintenance services (add utility remote sites and treatment facilities): approved. - Open bids/proposals returned or continued: public safety building chiller replacement (deadline extended to April 8); storm-sewer materials quotes (four quotes received; staff to review); emergency-shelter RFP (one proposal opened; referred to police department staff). - Licenses — Portland cement concrete and concrete-paving licenses for Patricus/Patricus Construction and Myron Construction; approvals granted subject to staff review where noted.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn that passed by voice vote. No further public comment was recorded during the time stamps in the meeting transcript.