Underwood council approves Highway Avenue reconstruction contract, funds study for Third Street East

The Underwood City Council voted unanimously Sept. 17 to approve a contract and bonds with Carley Construction for the Highway Avenue Road Reconstruction project and to move forward on preliminary engineering for Third Street East.

The council adopted Resolution 24-09-01 approving the Carley Construction contract and bonds for Highway Avenue reconstruction. The roll-call vote was recorded as Mayor Dennis Bardsley and council members Josh Madsen, Jodi Bose, Kelle Erwin, JW Tiarks and Jim Pingel voting yes; the resolution was adopted 5-0.

Council also approved a $9,780 contract with Snyder & Associates for topography survey work and concept planning for Third Street East. City Administrator/Clerk Cindy Sorlien was directed to write a grant application for Third Street East when Railroad Highway opens to secure funding for construction.

Economic development was discussed alongside the road projects. The council noted requests for information from two organizations to help produce a strategic or comprehensive plan; the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) said it can provide complimentary community involvement services and may assist further with potential charges.

Work on Highway Avenue moves the project into the construction contracting phase, while the Snyder & Associates contract will provide the survey and conceptual data the city needs to pursue grant funding and formal design. The council did not alter the contract terms at the meeting.

The council’s next steps include grant pursuit for Third Street East and continuing coordination with engineers and MAPA on community involvement and project planning.