The Wausau Board of Public Works on Tuesday approved a series of construction payments, a change order for downtown redevelopment, contractor licenses and an asbestos abatement pass-through, then voted to go into closed session to deliberate claims under state law.

The board approved the Nov. 18 minutes before taking up project payments. Speaker 1, an unidentified board member, moved to approve a $199,120 pay estimate for the Cherry Street lift station replacement; Speaker 2 seconded and members voiced approval.

City staff described the Pembroke Companies slip-line repair pay application and flagged extra work and a forthcoming change order. Speaker 3, a city staff member, told the board the pay application for the 2025 slip-line repair project totals $293,662.35 and said material differences found during preconstruction required redesigns. "We had to redesign some of the materials," Speaker 3 said, noting that for item 21 the installed quantity was 23 where the estimate was 15 and that "because of those changes, all of the repairs will be a type 2 rather than a type 1." The board approved pay estimate No. 1 for Pembroke.

On the Wausau Water Works asbestos abatement contract, Speaker 4, a city staff member, said Robinson Brothers Environmental completed the required work and recommended a pass-through payment of $3,519.50 while retaining $1,000 in case additional asbestos is discovered during demolition. The board approved the payment and the retention.

The board also approved Change Order No. 7 for the Downtown Mall redevelopment phase 2 with Pembroke Companies, a $15,101.86 increase. Speaker 4 said the change order reflects a switch to polymeric sand for brick pavers because the previously used sand did not lock the brick; installation of a parking garage sign at the Jackson entrance that was not in the original plans; and additional storm sewer installed at Jackson and 3rd. "All the work is complete, and I would recommend approving the change order," Speaker 4 said.

Pay estimate No. 8 for the Downtown Mall phase 2 — $127,222.33 — was also approved after Speaker 4 noted the project is primarily complete and that Garrett Lisney of CORE reviewed the work.

Licenses were granted to multiple concrete contractors and a bituminous paving license was approved for Intercon Construction. Speaker 2 said he had reviewed the applications and recommended approval.

Before adjourning into a closed session, Speaker 1 moved that the board convene in closed session "pursuant to Section 19.85(1)(g) of the Wisconsin Statutes for the purpose of deliberating on claims." Speaker 2 seconded and the motion carried.

Actions taken at the meeting were limited to approvals of pay estimates, a change order, contractor licenses and a small pass-through payment; the board did not take public final action on any litigation or claims in open session.