Council approves Public Works Committee recommendations; allocates funds for senior-center boiler and Nemanji HVAC

At the July 15, 2025 meeting, the Superior Common Council approved three recommendations from the Public Works Committee, moving forward on local street, utility and building projects and authorizing combined bidding for two building mechanical upgrades, the committee chair said. Councilor Dean, chair of the Public Works Committee, presented the report and made the motion to approve; Councilor Ludwig seconded and the motion carried.

Councilor Dean reported that work is progressing on Hammond and East Fifth projects and that Tower Avenue repairs will start in the coming weeks. Survey crews will perform work on Marina Drive near the causeway. The committee reported it recently secured a grant that could extend the Millennium Trail to Tower Avenue, and staff are advancing a Water Utility Acquisition Study and planning public meetings on traffic on Ogden, John and Banks avenues between Belknap and North 20th Street.

On the three specific action items before the council, Dean explained the recommendation to bid two building projects together. Councilor Sweeney asked for a cost breakdown; Dean directed members to the committee memo. The memo identified the Lou Martin Senior Center boiler at $65,000 and an HVAC system at Nemanji at $75,000. Dean said the buildings superintendent recommended bidding both projects together to obtain a better price than separate bids.

Other committee items listed in the report included design work for new sewers in the Woodstock Bay area and repairs in the Winter Street Sanitary District. The motion to approve the committee's recommendations was made by Councilor Dean, seconded by Councilor Ludwig, and approved by voice vote.

Councilors did not add further conditions to the approvals at the July 15 meeting, and staff will proceed with procurement and scheduling consistent with the committee recommendations.