Montrose council approves ARPA purchases, street change order, road repairs, cybersecurity upgrades and preliminary levy

The City of Montrose City Council on Sept. 9 approved a package of infrastructure, procurement and budget actions affecting public works, emergency management and IT systems.

ARPA-funded purchases and community center repairs: Emergency Management staff asked for and the council approved use of ARPA funds for two priority projects: a generator for City Hall and gutters/window replacement at the community center. The community center bid from Joe Mock Siding for gutters and one window was $4,850 and the motion to accept that bid passed 5-0. The transcript records a generator vendor quote and a motion to purchase the generator from Midwest (vendor name in packet) with the ARPA allocation, and the motion passed 5-0; the exact dollar amount in the meeting transcript is not clearly legible and is therefore recorded as not specified in the transcript.

Street Improvement project change order: The city engineer presented a contractor request tied to the 2024 Street Improvement project. The contractor reported lost supplier discounts after the original award was reduced to sections B and D (the memo cites a $2,710 request to cover those losses). Staff told council that even with the additional amount the bid remained lower than the next alternative and recommended approval to avoid losing the contractor and delaying the fall work. Council approved the negotiated increase by a recorded council vote (motion passed 5-0).

Road and manhole repairs: Public Works presented and the council approved a hot-mix road-patch contract with Midwest Minnesota Hot Mix (quote in packet ~$29,420) and a contract package to complete 56 manhole repairs with associated patching (contractor: Phobe/Fobby Construction and Midwest Hot Mix). Both motions passed 5-0.

SCADA cybersecurity and firewall: Staff said a state-level cybersecurity mandate requires hardening of the city’s SCADA/automation systems. Council approved a one-year SCADA automation and cybersecurity service agreement with In Control Incorporated; the transcript lists the annual figure unclearly and it is therefore recorded as not specified in the transcript. Council separately approved purchase of a hardware firewall replacement for $1,962, with that motion passing 5-0.

Hydrant replacement and janitorial services: Council approved a hydrant replacement quote related to a Highway 12 incident; staff said the cost will be submitted to the responsible party's insurer for reimbursement. The council also accepted Classic Cleaning’s weekly janitorial bid for the community center and City Hall, with service to begin Jan. 1; the motion passed 5-0.

Preliminary 2025 levy: The council adopted a preliminary levy for 2025 for county certification. Staff reported an estimated tax capacity decline (from about $4.1175 million in 2024 to an estimated $3.823 million for 2025, a decrease of roughly $352,000). The preliminary levy adopted for certification reflects planning for a roughly 17.5% increase in the levy for planning/capital needs; the motion passed 5-0.

Votes at a glance: all motions recorded in the transcript passed by unanimous recorded council votes (5-0) where a tally was recorded.

Staff said follow-up items include executing the street contract with the contractor, finalizing ARPA project spending before year-end, and continuing Planning & Zoning review for code changes brought by public comment. Council adjourned at the end of the meeting.