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Council accepts low bid for Phase 1 water work, authorizes Phase 2 and lift-station bids
Summary
The Mound City Council on Feb. 25 voted to accept the low bid of $715,000 from Widmer Construction for Phase 1 of the city’s water treatment infrastructure improvements and to advertise bids for Phase 2 and for 2025 lift‑station work.
The Mound City Council on Feb. 25 voted to accept the low bid of $715,000 from Widmer Construction for the Phase 1 portion of the city’s water treatment infrastructure improvements and authorized advertising for bids on Phase 2 and 2025 lift-station improvements.
City Engineer Matt Bauman recommended awarding the Phase 1 contract to Widmer and said the bid was substantially below the city’s engineer’s estimate. “We definitely recommend approving the bid,” Bauman told the council.
The Phase 1 award follows the city’s broader water program that includes $10.3 million in previously secured grant funding. Bauman told the council the Phase 2 portion is the largest remaining package; the engineer’s estimate is $4,750,000 with an alternate that would bring the total to $5,135,000. Council members were told the alternate would add battery backup to a sump-pump system to provide additional redundancy.
Bauman said crews need to complete parts of the Phase 1 work before Hennepin County performs milling and overlay work on Highway 15. For Phase 2 he outlined a staged approach intended to preserve local access while completing trenchless work where possible; he told the council Stage 1 may require a full closure for about four to five weeks to complete critical crossings.
On the 2025 lift-station improvements, staff reported an updated engineer’s estimate of $891,000 and said the city will purchase major equipment items (generators, pumps, control panels) directly and bid the construction portion. Council members approved moving those plans to advertisement for bid.
All three motions passed by voice vote. Council members voting were recorded as saying “Aye.” The council did not record individual yes/no names in the motions' roll calls that were read aloud.
Clarifying details: the Phase 1 low bid from Widmer was reported as $715,000; the city engineer’s Phase 1 estimate was reported in the meeting packet as $950,000. Phase 2 engineer’s estimate: $4,750,000; Phase 2 alternate (battery backup/sump redundancy): $5,135,000. Lift-station updated engineer’s estimate: $891,000. Staff emphasized parts of the Phase 2 work will be trenchless (pipe bursting, directional drilling) with limited open-cut work at crossings. County traffic will be encouraged to use county roads during extended closures.
What’s next: staff will return with bid results and a recommendation for the Phase 2 contract after the advertised bid period; staff said timing of Stage 1 will depend on bidder schedules and county milling dates.
