Council approves $1.22 million contract for 4th Street improvements, authorizes $50,000 contingency

The Waterloo City Council voted to award a $1,223,816.72 contract to the low bidder for the 4th Street improvement project and authorized the director of public works to add up to $50,000 in contingency funds.

The action, introduced during the council iscussion of unfinished business, was presented by public works staff, who said the city received five bids and that about $1,000,000 of the project cost will come from the general fund for roadway work with the balance charged to water-main funds. "We received 5 bids on December 18," the staff member said, and the low bidder was Concrete Contracting.

Staff told the council a last-minute design change requires replacing a water main under 4th Street because of an unforeseen conflict with the storm sewer. The staff member said the adjustment emerged during utility coordination and will add work and costs tied to water-main installation. "We're going to replace the water main under 4th Street because of, in conflict with the storm sewer," the staff member said.

Council members asked technical questions about elevations and engineering; staff confirmed the need for a different storm sewer installation and indicated the project's engineering basis. After a roll call, the motion to award the contract passed.

The contract award authorizes the mayor to execute the agreement and permits the director of public works to add up to $50,000 for contingencies. The council also approved a related contract modification for engineering services (see separate article).

The council did not set an effective construction start date in the on-record discussion; staff noted bids were received December 18. The council moved to recess to an executive session after completing votes on agenda items.