City awards 2025 water-relay and road rehabilitation contract, hires design firm for construction administration

The Fort Atkinson City Council on Feb. 20 awarded the 2025 water relay and road rehabilitation project to Forest Landscaping & Construction and approved design-engineering construction administration services for the work.

The council voted to accept the low bid from Forest Landscaping and Construction and to fund the contract in an amount not to exceed $2,600,191.25, including base bid and alternates A–D. City staff said the project includes water main replacement and associated road rehabilitation work on streets identified in the council packet, totaling roughly 4,900 feet of roadway.

Why it matters: The work is part of the city's annual water-main replacement program funded in part by a PSC-approved dedicated replacement fund, utility accounts and road funding that includes levied transportation dollars and a vehicle registration fee. Staff presented a funding table showing combined resources for a project total with contingency and oversight of $2,857,000.

Engineer Andy Burt (interim city engineer) and City Manager Hausman said three favorable bids were received and Forest's low bid was within staff estimates. Burt said the bid included four add-alternates for sidewalk infill that staff recommends funding from the project budget. Council members noted the high unit cost of street rehabilitation by pointing out that even less than a mile of work can total more than $1 million.

The council also approved Task Order 2025-03 with Rookert & Milke for construction administration services in the amount of $127,150.60; staff said vacancies in the city engineer and public works director positions make consultant construction oversight necessary. Burt said the task order splits construction oversight and contingency among the appropriate utility and roadway accounts based on quantities.

Votes at a glance: The motion to award the contract to Forest Landscaping and Construction for up to $2,600,191.25 passed by voice vote. The motion to approve Task Order 2025-03 with Rookert & Milke for $127,150.60 passed by voice vote.

What comes next: With the contract awarded and construction administration assigned, staff said the project will proceed this year with planned construction, oversight and the usual 5% contingency. Staff noted spring conditions are needed to begin paving work and that the packet contains a detailed funding breakdown.