Wausau Board of Public Works approves multiple infrastructure payments, extends testing contract and moves to closed session

The Wausau Board of Public Works on Tuesday approved several contractor payments and licenses, authorized the final year of a materials-testing contract extension and voted to enter closed session to deliberate claims under state law.

Board members unanimously approved J.F. Ahern’s pay estimate No. 10 for the wastewater treatment facility screening improvements in the amount of $587,874 and Becker’s pay estimate No. 6 for the 2025 sidewalk repair project for $8,190.46 after staff confirmed inspected quantities. Unidentified Speaker 1 moved to approve each payment and Unidentified Speaker 2 seconded; both motions passed by voice vote.

The board also approved two disbursement requests from Community Infrastructure Partners related to the city’s lead service line replacement program: pay request No. 21 for 2025 work totaling $1,494,782.66 and pay request No. 22, a 2026 beginning-pay request of $67,762.50. The board confirmed receipt of allocations for 2026 and discussed a potential closing date in April related to those funds.

Unidentified Speaker 3 briefed the board on Quest Civil Engineers’ contract for construction materials testing, saying, “This would be the final year of that extension,” and explained the contract originated from an earlier request for proposals and contained a clause allowing up to a three-year extension. Staff reported inspectors were satisfied with Quest’s work; the board voted to approve the proposed 2026 rates and to retain Quest for that final extension year.

Work on the Metroride drain replacement project by Pembroke Company was reported complete and satisfactorily reviewed; the board approved a final payment of $4,883.75. The board also approved Portland cement concrete contractor licenses for Creative Design Concrete Masonry and Forner Asphalt Sealers and a bituminous concrete paving license for Forner Asphalt after staff review and recommendation.

At the end of the open session, Unidentified Speaker 1 moved, and the board seconded, to convene a closed session “for the purpose of deliberating on claims” pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes §19.85(1)(g); the motion passed by voice vote and the board prepared to enter closed session.

The board’s actions covered routine contract and payment approvals for ongoing infrastructure projects, a significant disbursement for the lead service line replacement program and the approval of contractor licenses. The board adjourned the open portion of the meeting and moved into closed session to handle claims.