Wausau Board of Public Works approves change orders and pay estimates, opens emergency-shelter RFP and moves to closed session

The Wausau Board of Public Works on June 3 approved several change orders and pay estimates for city construction and utility work, opened a request for proposals for emergency shelter services from Bridge Street Mission and voted to enter a closed session under Wisconsin Statutes to consider contractor prequalification statements.

Board members approved Change Order No. 2 with Community Infrastructure Partners for replacement of Lehi service lines, a set of modifications that the board was told reflects additional work and differing scope between 2024 and 2025 contracts. Staff reported that the first contract saw additional costs related to rock and lead service line (LSL) permits, and that more full replacements (rather than partial replacements) were performed in 2025. The board was told one contract line increases by $768,768.50; combined changes from the original combined bids were reported as $9,630,000 with an increase of $909,311 across 2024 and 2025. The board approved the change order by voice vote.

The board also approved Pay Estimate No. 12 with Community Infrastructure Partners for work on the Lehi service-line replacement project. The pay estimate covered $240,310.90 for professional services; the board was told that actual construction payments have not yet arrived and that this estimate was for professional services. Board members discussed separating accounting for city-side work and homeowner-side work, noting that the city portion is larger in 2025 than in 2024 and will require separate tracking.

The board approved pay estimates for street-construction work on multiple projects. The board approved a pay estimate of $405,250.19 for work by Switwick and Sons on the 2025 Street Construction Project B (majority of work on First Street and River Drive). The board approved a second pay request of $647,820.45 for work by Hossons Incorporated on the 2025 Street Construction Project D (majority of work on Cherry Street). A board member noted that work on Fulton Street cannot proceed until after a TID amendment is finalized.

For the 2025 Downtown Mall Redevelopment Phase 2 (Pembroke Companies), the board approved three change orders. Two of the change orders were time-and-materials items for water-department work to remove old stubs that had previously extended into the old mall; a third change order addressed an unplanned storm-sewer connection discovered at the foundry on Third Street. The three change orders were listed at $1,933, $5,403 and $2,940, and the board approved all three.

During the meeting the board opened a request for proposals for emergency shelter services tied to Bridge Street Mission; the item was opened and then returned to staff for next steps. No formal funding authorization for the shelter was recorded in the meeting minutes; the board’s action was to open the RFP process.

Finally, the board voted to go into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes section 19.85(1)(d) to consider and deliberate prequalification statements for multiple 2025 projects, including the Metro Bridge drain replacement project, the Riverside Veil corridor soil disposal project and the DPW overhead door replacement. A motion to enter closed session was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes of the May 27 meeting: approved by voice vote. - Change Order No. 2 with Community Infrastructure Partners (Lehi service-line replacements): approved by voice vote. Reported increases: $768,768.50 (first contract) and a combined increase of $909,311 across 2024–2025; original combined bids reported as $9,630,000. - Pay Estimate No. 12 with Community Infrastructure Partners: approved; $240,310.90 (professional services). - Pay estimate — Switwick and Sons (2025 Street Construction Project B): approved; $405,250.19. - Pay estimate — Hossons Incorporated (2025 Street Construction Project D): approved; $647,820.45. - Change Orders 1–3 — Pembroke Companies (2025 Downtown Mall Redevelopment Phase 2): approved; $1,933, $5,403 and $2,940. - Motion to enter closed session under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(d) to consider contractor prequalification statements: approved by voice vote.

The board frequently used voice votes for routine items; board members asked staff to ensure accounting separates city-side and homeowner-side costs for the Lehi service-line work and noted ongoing coordination with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on construction funding. No formal roll-call vote totals or named movers/seconders were recorded in the transcript provided.