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City to advertise multi-part trail improvement bid; public works to hire equipment operator
Summary
City staff presented preliminary plans for the 2026 trail improvement project and proposed advertising four bid alternatives to allow council flexibility; staff also requested authorization to advertise an equipment operator vacancy and said internal candidates would be considered first.
City staff told the East Grand Forks City Council at a Dec. 9 work session that the city will file plans and specifications and advertise for bids on the 2026 trail improvement project, offering four bid alternatives so the council can award any combination that fits the budget.
The staff presenter said the administration expects to file final plan/specs at the next council meeting, set a bid opening for 10 a.m. on Jan. 8, and bring bid results to the Jan. 13 work session for award recommendations and council consideration. "We would just be looking to at the next council meeting, file plan specs. Looking to set a bid date for 10AM on January 8, and then we would actually bring those bids back to the thirteenth work session," the presenter said.
Staff identified priority segments—described in the packet maps as "purple, blue, red, green"—and recommended awarding work in priority order or choosing combinations based on incoming prices. The presenter noted most work will be an overlay but said "we may have to, in a few areas, just, kinda replace the whole trail for a segment" where conditions are worse.
Council members asked whether keeping the same width was planned; a public-works speaker replied the sections were intended to "keep same width" and described typical overlay thickness. One council member asked whether combining segments into a single, larger contract would yield better pricing; staff said combined bids and mobilization options would be included so contractors could price accordingly.
Separately, public works asked for authorization to advertise for an equipment operator to fill a vacancy when an employee leaves. The public-works presenter said the position will be advertised internally first, that cross-training is standard and internal truck drivers often apply, and that if an internal promotion occurs the resulting truck-driver vacancy would return to council for approval. "If council approves to move forward and do so, the position will be advertised internally first," staff said.
No formal council action was taken on either item during the work session; staff will return with final plan/specs, bid instructions and a hiring recommendation at future meetings.
