Castle Valley council approves Bay Brothers road contract, cancels Nov. municipal election and OKs administrative items

The Castle Valley Town Council voted Sept. 17 to approve a construction contract for a road and culvert repair project, to cancel the Nov. 2025 municipal election after no additional candidates filed, and to approve several routine administrative items, the council said at a meeting held in person at Rock Sioux Chapel Valley Drive and on Zoom.

Council members approved a single bid for the Castle Colbert (Shafer Lane) road repair and culvert work and authorized the town to move forward with ordering long-lead materials so the contractor can meet an estimated March completion window. The engineer and the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) advised the council that ordering materials now would reduce the overall closure time, the record shows.

The new contract is with Bay Brothers Construction. The town mayor and staff reported the bid had been revised with the engineer to fit the council-approved budget; traffic control costs in the bid line items are roughly $29,000, and mobilization, asphalt removal and other unit-price items also appear in the contractor’s estimate. Council members and staff said some non-reimbursable project items remain in the scope and noted the town’s road crews could perform certain tasks if it proves cost‑effective, but NRCS‑eligible components must follow NRCS rules for cost sharing.

Council members and residents raised safety and access concerns if the road must be closed for the work. Staff said the contractor will coordinate preliminary work before delivery of prefabricated components and that the town will post notifications. Council discussion covered whether to restrict access during closures to residents and contractors only and whether to place additional signs and reflectors; no formal change to the traffic-control plan was recorded. Staff said the closure timeline cannot be finalized until the contractor confirms material delivery dates.

During the public meeting, residents and council members also described local culvert problems at private driveways (including an exposed, cracked culvert near properties identified in the meeting) and discussed minor widening at the culvert approaches so larger trucks can pass. Council members said they have materials (rock) available to add coverage and to adjust posts or rocks at a turnaround on Shafer Lane.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (Aug. 20, 2025 public hearing and regular meeting): Approved by voice vote (recorded as “Aye”); individual roll-call names not specified in the transcript. - Approval of Castle Colbert project (Bay Brothers Construction) bid/contract: Motion moved and seconded; outcome recorded as approved. Transcript records the motion and a later voice/roll-call affirmative response. (See actions[] for provenance.) - Resolution 2025-7, canceling the Nov. 2025 municipal election: Motion moved and seconded; council approved cancellation after noting no additional candidates filed. - Approval of culvert Drainage Work Labor and Release Agreement (single-use drainage release waiver): Motion moved and seconded; approved. - Approval of road-shed loan payment ($7,774.99 to the Division of Finance): Motion moved and seconded; approved. - Payment of bills and purchase orders (including tires for town equipment): Motion moved and seconded; approved.

What the council said and next steps Council members and staff emphasized minimizing the duration of any road closure and avoiding unnecessary closures. Staff and the contractor will continue to coordinate delivery scheduling and preliminary work so closures can be as brief as possible. The engineer and the NRCS were identified in the record as the parties advising the council on procurement and scheduling; staff said they will provide public notices and consider signs restricting access to residents and contractors during any closure.

The council instructed staff to return with final contract documents for signature and with scheduling details once the contractor confirms delivery dates. No additional binding conditions or amendments to the contract terms were recorded in the meeting minutes.

Ending Council members said they expect more detailed scheduling information once the contractor orders long-lead materials and confirmed delivery; the town will post closure and access information to residents when those dates are known.