Keokuk council approves $69,255 contract for manhole access to conduct EPA-required sewer study

The Keokuk City Council approved a resolution Sept. 18 to authorize construction of a new access manhole at 3rd and Des Moines Street to support entry into an 1895 sewer tunnel and allow installation of monitoring/testing equipment for a federally-required study.

The chair said the work is needed "To comply with the federal EPA mandate c s o 2 separation, the city is required to do a first flush study." Plans and specifications were prepared by Beanstra and Kim Incorporated (B & K). B & K solicited bids and the lowest bidder was Kia Ka Contractors Incorporated, which the staff recommended for award at the bid amount of $69,255; the council approved the award.

Staff told the council that monitoring and testing equipment for the study have already been purchased and that the new access manhole will allow the city to install that equipment into the existing sewer tunnel.

The resolution passed on a motion and was approved by voice vote; the transcript records the council’s voice votes as in the affirmative and the chair declared the motion passed.

What this means: the contract award authorizes work to create a new access point into the historic sewer tunnel so city staff can perform monitoring required by the stated federal mandate. The transcript does not include a construction schedule, start date, or additional contract terms beyond the bid amount.