Council approves Rueckert and Mielke for 2026 water‑main design and extends engineering master services agreement

The Fort Atkinson City Council approved two actions with the city’s engineering partner: a design contract for the 2026 water main replacement and street improvements and an extension of the master services agreement for professional engineering services through Dec. 31, 2025.

Water Utility Superintendent Armstrong described the 2026 design scope as water main work on Jefferson Street (from Haik to White, including the White Street cul‑de‑sac), Clover Lane (North High to Rogers) and Oak Street (Harrison to the dead end) — approximately 4,000 linear feet of work. Armstrong said the city received four bids and recommended Rueckert & Mielke (bid of $61,644) based on experience and prior performance; one bidder did not include geotechnical services, which the city required.

The council approved the design contract, with the motion carrying by voice vote. Later, City Manager Hausman explained the proposed master services agreement is an extension of an agreement the council approved in 2022 and will formalize task orders such as the interim city engineer assignment approved earlier. Hausman said the master services agreement itself “doesn’t have a financial impact on the city” unless specific task orders are authorized; he said most task orders for significant projects will return to council for approval.

Council members praised the steady progress of the water‑main replacement program and noted fewer problems on streets where replacements have already occurred. The council voted to approve both the design contract and the master services agreement; staff said future task orders would be brought to council for project‑level approval as needed.