Ripon council approves $11,360 bid to remove dilapidated dog‑park barn

The Ripon Common Council voted to award a contract to TR Reclaim and Removal LLC for $11,360 to remove a dilapidated barn at the city‑owned dog park, after staff described the structure as unsecured and recently used for squatting.

Adam Sontag, the city administrator, told the council the barn is “old, dilapidated, unsecured” and that staff had received reports of squatting and camping in the structure, prompting staff to issue a request for proposals and recommend removal. Sontag said the structure “doesn’t really store anything” and that parks and public works can shift funds in the current budget to cover the cost.

Council member John said he agreed the barn “does have to be taken down” and urged choosing a contractor that would salvage lumber when practical. John moved to approve the TR Reclaim and Removal LLC bid for $11,360; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Council discussion noted two proposals were received: Novak Excavating submitted a lower bid of $10,700, while TR Reclaim’s $11,360 bid includes reclaiming lumber and supplying seed and topsoil to restore the site. Staff confirmed the low bid was not required for this request‑for‑proposals procurement, and that Novak’s proposal appeared to meet the project specifications.

Sontag said the city would fund the removal primarily from parks, grounds and urban forestry budget lines and estimated that picking up the expense would delay roughly three to four large tree removals planned for the year.

The contractor award concludes the council’s formal action on the item; staff indicated the contractor will remove the slab, reclaim salvageable materials as proposed and restore the area following demolition.