The Waupaca Common Council on Jan. 7 approved awarding the Elm Street reconstruction contract to Advanced Construction of Green Bay, the lowest responsible bidder. Staff told council six bids were received in a range of about $1,070,000 to $1,500,000 and that the lowest bids fell within available budget allocations across general obligation and utility funds.

Project work includes two driving lanes with widened shoulders, sewer extension (new 8-inch sewer where none existed west of Wesley Street), water main replacement and lead-service removal, a relining of existing sewer east of Wesley Street, replacement of a failing line under the railroad near Holbeck Street (bored under the tracks) and trail connections. Staff said a DNR wetlands review required scaling back fill on the north side of Elm Street; that change required reinstallation of beam guard in the north section and related plan adjustments. Staff expects the net of deleted concrete items and added guardrail work to be close to net zero but noted change orders will follow as final quantities are reconciled.

Staff recommended awarding to Advanced Construction and said they will convene a public informational meeting and preconstruction meeting with the contractor before construction; a February informational meeting was suggested. The motion was made by Eric Olsen and seconded by Paul Hagen; roll call recorded 10 ayes.

The meeting packet contains detailed bid tables and funding breakdowns; the transcript notes the bid total range but the exact executed contract amount as read in the meeting record was unclear. Staff said they will return with necessary change-order approvals if cost adjustments exceed the authority delegated to staff.