Finance committee approves series of contracts, grants and budget amendments, including $2.71M sewer award

The Appleton City finance committee on Jan. 26 unanimously approved a slate of contracts, change orders, grants and budget amendments, including a $2,711,111 contract award for sewer and water reconstruction and acceptance of a $100,000 grant for acoustical improvements at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center.

The committee approved agenda item 26-0090 to sole-source a professional services contract with Donahue and Associates for the wastewater electrical MCC replacement project for $399,668. A committee member said, “I am not a fan of sole sourcing, but I understand and can realize that this could be actual money savings because of the history that they have behind them,” and then supported the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

The committee also approved a transfer of $520,595 in unused contingency from the Appleton Wastewater Treatment Plant Phase 1 belt filter press equipment upgrades project to the Phase 2 contract (26-0106), and a sole-source engineering services contract with McMahon for caustic chemical system upgrades and raw water lake station valve and pump replacements not to exceed $201,300 (26-0125).

For an existing construction contract (Unit B 25), the committee approved Change Order No. 1 (26-0122) adding $57,830.90 for a new contract total of $1,343,089.41 and reducing the contract contingency to $0. Deputy Director Neuberger said the costs reflected final closeout quantities and that the additions were primarily drainage items identified in the field.

On a larger capital award, the committee approved Item 26-0121 to award Unit X 26 sewer and water reconstruction to Cruzette Construction for $2,711,111, noting a 2.2% contingency. Deputy Director Neuberger explained that higher unit prices on several bid items (often tied to traffic interaction and railroad crossings) accounted for variance from earlier estimates, but the bid still fell under budget.

The committee accepted a $100,000 grant from the Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau for acoustical improvements at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center (26-0119) and approved the related 2026 budget amendment. Director Wundt said the full acoustical improvements are projected to cost “roughly around $1,000,000,” and that the city currently has about $750,000 in ARPA funds earmarked for acoustics; the grant would help close the gap. Wundt told the committee design is ongoing and that staff expect more details in the next month to month and a half.

Other approvals included a $48,000 carryover from 2025 to 2026 for ADA improvements to bundled pavilion projects (26-0123), a parks ADA improvements construction contract to Millbock Construction Services Company for $82,300 with 10% contingency (24-0124), and a $135,000 2026 budget amendment moving funds into consulting services for the Thrivent agreement (26-0120). The committee recorded unanimous 5-0 votes on each item.

Votes at a glance - 26-0090: Sole-source contract to Donahue and Associates for wastewater MCC replacement — $399,668 — approved 5-0. - 26-0106: Transfer of $520,595 unused contingency from Phase 1 belt filter press upgrades to Phase 2 contract — approved 5-0. - 26-0125: Sole-source engineering services (McMahon) for caustic chemical system and pump/valve work — $201,300 not to exceed — approved 5-0. - 26-0122: Unit B 25 Change Order No. 1 — +$57,830.90; new total $1,343,089.41 — approved 5-0. - 26-0119: Accept Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau grant for acoustical improvements — $100,000 — approved 5-0. - 26-0121: Award Unit X 26 sewer and water reconstruction to Cruzette Construction — $2,711,111 (2.2% contingency noted) — approved 5-0. - 26-0123: 2025–2026 carryover appropriation for ADA improvements — $48,000 — approved 5-0. - 24-0124: 2026 parks ADA improvements construction contract to Millbock Construction Services Company — $82,300 (+10% contingency) — approved 5-0. - 26-0120: 2026 budget amendment moving $135,000 into consulting services for the Thrivent agreement — approved 5-0.

The committee heard no public appearances and had no substantive questions on the information items on the agenda. A committee member moved to adjourn and the meeting ended after a unanimous vote.

Next steps noted during the meeting: staff will continue final design work for the Exhibition Center acoustical improvements and return with more detailed cost and design information in the coming weeks.