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Baxter council approves Rippey intersection contract, hires MSA for construction administration and awards cemetery mowing
Summary
At its March 23 meeting, the Baxter City Council approved the Rippey Intersection & Chichaqua Trail improvements contract (including a sewer plan modification up to $15,000), adopted a professional services agreement with MSA Professional Services, and awarded the Restland Cemetery mowing contract to Mike Brandt for $15,000.
The Baxter City Council on March 23 approved a contract for the Rippey Intersection & Chichaqua Trail Improvements Project, adopted a professional services agreement with MSA Professional Services, Inc. for construction administration, and awarded the Restland Cemetery mowing contract.
Mayor Danny Kunkel opened the meeting at 5:30 p.m. and held two public hearings — on the FY2027 city budget and on the Rippey Intersection & Chichaqua Trail Improvements Project — both of which drew no written or oral comments and were closed by the mayor.
Council delayed discussion of the Rippey project until project engineer Nichole Sungren joined the meeting at 6:09 p.m. During that discussion council considered a proposed sewer plan modification and an associated change order “not to exceed $15,000,” to be paid from the Sewer Fund, following a recommendation from MSA Professional Services. Councilmember Milligan moved to approve the plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the project, including the sewer plan modification not to exceed $15,000, and to award the contract to Mid State Solutions LLC; the motion was seconded by Smith and carried (Ayes: Churchill, Milligan, Schabilion, Smith). Councilmember Bethards had left the meeting earlier and was not listed in the aye votes.
On a separate vote, Councilmember Smith moved to adopt Resolution No. 2026-11 approving a professional services agreement with MSA Professional Services, Inc. for construction administration services; Councilmember Milligan seconded and the motion carried (Ayes: Churchill, Milligan, Schabilion, Smith).
The council also opened bids for the 2026–2027 Restland Cemetery mowing contract and reviewed four submissions: Tyler Sprouse ($600 per mow, 29 mows, plus $900 cleanup; total listed as $18,300), Mike Brandt ($15,000), Precision Land Management ($19,900), and Manifold Construction ($23,100). Councilmember Milligan moved to award the mowing contract to Mike Brandt for $15,000; Councilmember Bethards seconded and the motion carried with all five council members recorded as ayes.
There were no public comments during the meeting. Councilmember Milligan moved to adjourn at 6:40 p.m.; Schabilion seconded and the motion carried.
Votes at a glance - Rippey Intersection & Chichaqua Trail Improvements Project: motion to approve plans and award contract to Mid State Solutions LLC, including sewer plan modification not to exceed $15,000 (Sewer Fund). Mover: Councilmember Milligan; Second: Smith. Vote: Ayes — Churchill, Milligan, Schabilion, Smith; Outcome: approved. - Resolution No. 2026-11 (MSA Professional Services agreement): Mover: Smith; Second: Milligan. Vote: Ayes — Churchill, Milligan, Schabilion, Smith; Outcome: approved. - Restland Cemetery mowing contract (2026–2027): Awarded to Mike Brandt for $15,000. Mover: Milligan; Second: Bethards. Vote: Ayes — Bethards, Churchill, Milligan, Schabilion, Smith; Outcome: approved.
Next steps: With approvals in place the city may proceed with contract execution for the Rippey project and begin construction administration under MSA Professional Services; the Rippey project includes a specified sewer plan modification capped at $15,000 to be paid from the Sewer Fund. The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
