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Lake Elmo council accepts $1.57 million low bid, awards 2026 street and utility contract
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Summary
The Lake Elmo City Council voted Feb. 17 to accept bids and award a contract for the 2026 Street and Utility Improvement Project in the Lake Elmo Heights neighborhood; the low bid of about $1.57 million was roughly $140,000 below the engineer's estimate. Council also authorized a materials testing contract not to exceed $30,000.
Lake Elmo — The Lake Elmo City Council on Feb. 17 voted to accept bids and award a contract for the 2026 Street and Utility Improvement Project, approving work in the Lake Elmo Heights neighborhood that will include full-depth pavement reclamation, new concrete curb and gutter, minor grade adjustments for drainage and isolated storm‑sewer repairs.
City Engineer Mr. Stanley told the council the city received eight bids and that the low responsible bidder was McNamara Contracting Inc., with a bid “of about $1,570,000,” which he said was below the engineer’s estimate of “about $1,710,000.” He also said the total estimated project cost has been revised down from roughly $2,390,000 to $2,150,000 since the feasibility report.
“Tonight I’ve provided a brief recap on a number of items — project location, where we’re at with the schedule, recap those proposed improvements for the neighborhoods,” Stanley said during his presentation.
The council approved a resolution to accept bids and award the construction contract (motion recorded on the floor as resolution 2026‑013). A separate motion to authorize the city administrator to enter into a materials‑testing contract for the construction phase, not to exceed $30,000, was approved by voice vote.
Project work described to the council includes full‑depth reclamation of existing pavements, installation of concrete curb and gutter, adjustments to improve drainage, and limited parking restrictions at the ends of cul‑de‑sacs. Stanley said the public water main serving the area — installed roughly 20 years ago — is in good condition and that no sanitary‑sewer extension is proposed because the area lies outside the municipal utility service area the staff referenced.
Councilmember Holtz thanked staff for early bidding efforts that can reduce costs; Councilmember Dragosic noted stormwater improvements are substantial and reiterated his preference that stormwater work be funded from the stormwater utility rather than property taxes and special assessments.
The contract award and the testing‑services authorization passed by voice vote. The council did not provide a roll‑call tally in the public record for either action.
