Onalaska board approves engineering contracts, highway-safety agreement and utility work

The Onalaska Board of Public Works and Utilities on Feb. 3 unanimously approved multiple contracts and agreements that the city says will advance stormwater, water-main and intersection safety projects over the next three years. The board met at 4:00 p.m. and adjourned at 4:25 p.m.

City public-works staff recommended and the board approved awarding Strand Associates the design contract for the Sand Lake Road/US 53 regional pond storm‑sewer project at a price of $260,000. Jared Holter, the city’s director of public works, said the work continues an 18‑month design and DNR hydraulics/flood study; design work is scheduled in 2026–27 with construction expected in 2027–28. Holter said staff ranked Strand highest in the competitive RFP scoring process and noted that Strand’s proposal included potential grant opportunities that could offset stormwater-quality improvements. “I think, with what they’ve proposed, we might be able to get some actual grant funding to offset some of these stormwater quality improvements,” Holter said.

The board also approved awarding Strand Associates the design contract for the French Road/Crestwood Booster Station water‑main extension at $99,700. Staff reported four proposal submissions and said design work was included in the 2026 capital improvement budget (design budgeted at $475,000) and construction is anticipated to be budgeted in 2027 with an estimated project cost of about $1.3 million.

On a separate transportation item, staff reported the city secured Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funding for intersection improvements at 12th Avenue South and Oak Forest Drive. The project’s total estimated cost is about $1.2 million; HSIP funding would cover approximately $851,000 and the city’s share about $351,000. Staff said the project will be bid through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and that right‑of‑way, design and a construction match would likely occur in a 2027–29 timeframe. The board voted to enter the state municipal agreement to accept HSIP funding.

The board awarded the State Highway 16 water‑main jack‑and‑bore contract to Gehrke Excavating for $311,391.40. Staff said four bids were opened; the project had been budgeted at $400,000 and the engineering department’s estimate was about $385,000, placing the low bid within expectations.

For water‑system operations, staff recommended—and the board approved—selecting Municipal Well & Pump for the required 10‑year Well No. 10 pump and motor inspection at a not‑to‑exceed cost of $67,003.28, and authorizing purchase of $10,354 in parts to rebuild a 20‑year‑old clay valve at the well. Staff said the amounts keep the work under the $80,000 approved in the 2026 operating budget and that staff expect actual costs may be lower but budgeted conservatively to avoid delays.

Board members also reviewed the Grandview Boulevard water‑main bid advertisement; bids will be opened at 10 a.m. on the morning of the next council meeting. Sabrina Seager, identified in the meeting as the financial services director, said the city consulted bond counsel and auditors and expects to use a general‑fund loan to the utility to cover costs until a formal agreement is brought forward after final cost is known.

The board approved the public‑works pay estimates included in the packet after staff clarified a printed date typo; members confirmed the correct packet date should read Feb. 3. All motions on the agenda carried unanimously.

The board had no utility report and adjourned at 4:25 p.m.

What’s next: staff will proceed with contract execution and several design tasks in 2026, return draft agreements (including the Grandview financing agreement) after final costs are known, and bring construction bids and awards to future council or board meetings as scheduled.