Waverly council awards sewer, park and lift-station contracts, adopts rezoning and backs business expansion

The City of Waverly council voted March 16 to award multiple infrastructure contracts, adopt a commercial-to-residential rezoning and approve a resolution of support for a local employer’s state incentive application.

The council approved an award to Denver Underground and Grading of Denver, Iowa, for the Eastgate Lift Station and Force Main for $649,234 and later approved the construction contract and bond for that project. Council also awarded the 2026 cured‑in‑place pipe (CIPP) sanitary sewer‑lining contract to Visu Sewer (Pewaukee, Wisconsin) for $1,078,466.20 and approved the associated contract and bond.

Why it matters: the Eastgate and CIPP projects are part of the city’s ongoing sanitary‑sewer and utility work; approving contracts moves both projects toward construction. Council members noted bid competitiveness and budget alignment during discussion.

Council also approved plans and awarded the parks maintenance parking‑lot reconstruction contract to Heartland Asphalt of Mason City for $155,345.82 and authorized the mayor to sign the contract. The third and final reading of Ordinance 1176 passed, rezoning parcel ID 0901176006 at 1705 East Bremer Avenue from C‑2 commercial to R‑1 residential and amending the Waverly zoning and future land‑use maps.

A councilmember said of the sewer bids, “These are very good bids,” reflecting council members’ view that pricing and the competitive market produced acceptable results. Staff noted the airport apron and tee‑hangar project will be largely federally funded (about 95% through the FAA) when the council set bid and hearing dates for that work.

The meeting also included a batch of administrative real‑estate items (resolutions authorizing acquisition and deed acceptance for small parcels and utility easements), routine service contracts — including a $25‑per‑unit cleaning contract for portable restrooms — and the approval of interim loan and disbursement agreements with the Iowa Finance Authority for short‑term water and sewer project notes.

All motions recorded on the agenda were moved, seconded and approved by roll call with no recorded opposing votes. The council set a public hearing for April 20 on a separate proposition to issue up to $900,000 in local option sales‑tax revenue bonds that staff said could provide an alternative funding pathway for the proposed golf‑course remodel without using property tax revenue.

The meeting concluded after staff updates about yard‑waste site openings and tree removal at Coleman Park, councilmember community remarks, and mayoral comments.

Votes at a glance (selected items): - Ordinance 1176 (rezoning 1705 East Bremer Ave): adopted (third reading). - Resolution 26‑48 (notice to bidders, Eastgate Lift Station): approved. - Resolution 26‑50 (award to Denver Underground, Eastgate Lift Station): approved; bid $649,234. - Resolution 26‑54 (award to Visu Sewer, 2026 CIPP lining): approved; bid $1,078,466.20. - Resolution 26‑57 (award to Heartland Asphalt, parks parking lot): approved; $155,345.82.

Next steps: contracts will proceed in accordance with their terms and project schedules; the council scheduled follow‑up public hearings where required by statute or policy.