Wausau Board of Public Works approves permits, pay estimates and a siphon change order; moves to closed session

The Wausau Board of Public Works on Wednesday, May 14 approved a series of routine contracts, payments and permits, and voted to go into closed session under Wisconsin Statutes §19.85(1)(d) to consider prequalification statements for a parking ramp repair project.

The board approved pay estimate No. 1 for the downtown mall redevelopment, phase 2, to Pembroke Companies in the amount of $181,820.96, and pay estimate No. 1 for the Wausau wastewater treatment facility screening project to JF Ahern in the amount of $72,200. The board also accepted the low bid for the 25th Street seal-coating project from Farner for $112,130.50.

In public discussion before the vote on a Washington Street siphon replacement project change order, a staff member explained the city shifted scope between two related projects so more storm sewer work could be completed while the site is vacant and some asphalt replacement scope would move into the siphon contract. Because the removal quantities reduced total asphalt work, the contractor requested a higher per-unit asphalt price; the net result of the change order was an additional $4,279.01, which the board approved.

The board approved two moving permits to allow structures to be relocated for Habitat for Humanity: one to move a structure from Mosinee High School to 1702 Plum Drive and another to move a structure from D.C. Everest High School to 722 Jefferson Street. Both motions carried.

The board approved an agreement with REI Engineering to provide on-site environmental consulting for the 2505 Wausau Mall redevelopment phase 2. A speaker noted REI had been on-site for earlier work and that keeping them on-site would help document contaminated soils and disposal for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR); the agreement uses hourly rates included in the contract.

A Portland cement concrete license for Revi Design was approved contingent on one change requested by staff: increasing the contractor's medical/expense coverage from $5,000 to $10,000 as a condition of final approval. The board voted to approve the license subject to that change.

Finally, the board voted to convene a closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes §19.85(1)(d) to consider and deliberate on prequalification statements for the 2025 Jefferson parking ramp repairs.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (May 6): motion moved and seconded; approved (voice vote: aye). - 25th Street seal coating — award to Farner, $112,130.50: approved (voice vote: aye). - Moving permit — Mosinee High School to 1702 Plum Drive (Habitat for Humanity): approved (voice vote: aye). - Moving permit — D.C. Everest High School to 722 Jefferson Street (Habitat for Humanity): approved (voice vote: aye). - Pembroke Companies pay estimate No. 1 (downtown mall redevelopment phase 2) — $181,820.96: approved (voice vote: aye). - JF Ahern pay estimate No. 1 (wastewater treatment facility screening) — $72,200: approved (voice vote: aye). - Washington Street siphon replacement, change order No. 1 — net increase $4,279.01: approved (voice vote: aye). - Agreement with REI Engineering (environmental consulting for 2505 Wausau Mall redevelopment phase 2): approved (voice vote: aye). - Portland cement concrete license — Revi Design, approved contingent on medical/expense coverage increased to $10,000: approved (voice vote: aye). - Motion to enter closed session under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(d) to consider prequalification statements for the 2025 Jefferson parking ramp repairs: approved (voice vote: aye).

Discussion and context

Most items were routine and carried on unanimous voice votes after brief staff explanations. The most substantive discussion recorded concerned the Washington Street siphon project, where staff described moving storm-sewer scope and some asphalt replacement into the siphon contract to enable site work while the adjacent retaining-wall replacement is bid separately. For the 2505 Wausau Mall redevelopment, staff emphasized that REI Engineering's on-site documentation of contaminated soils and disposal destinations would support DNR reporting requirements.

The meeting concluded when the board voted to go into closed session under Wisconsin Statutes §19.85(1)(d) to review contractor prequalification statements; no final actions from that closed session were recorded in the public transcript excerpt.

Ending

Board members moved, seconded and approved the items by voice vote; the meeting then proceeded into the closed session noted above.