Frederic board rejects lowest bidder for Wisconsin Avenue project, seeks WisDOT cost‑sharing and renews interim financing

The Frederic Village Board on March 10 voted to reject the lowest bid for the Wisconsin Avenue construction project, approved a request that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation share costs for work the Village does not normally perform, and renewed short‑term financing for two street projects through April 2026.

MSA representative Drew Lindh told the board that four bids were received for the Wisconsin Avenue contract and raised concerns about the lowest bidder’s staffing, equipment and experience with a job of this size. After discussion, the board voted to deem DeSantis Construction “not responsible” and to offer the project to the next‑lowest bidder after consultation with the Village attorney. The motion was moved by Rob Lillehaug and seconded by Patty Swenson; the vote carried.

The board separately approved sending a letter to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation asking WisDOT to share the cost of certain infrastructure work proposed for the Village portion of Wisconsin Avenue. The motion to send the letter was moved by Duane Wisse and seconded by Rob Lillehaug; the motion carried.

Clerk J. Schott recommended renewing the interim financing for both the Third Avenue and Wisconsin Avenue street projects with a suggested payoff date of April 2026 and no prepayment penalty. The board approved renewing the interim financing for both projects on motions moved by Brad Harlander and seconded by Patty Swenson; both motions carried.

Next steps the board recorded were consultation with the Village attorney regarding contractor responsibility, offering the contract to the next‑lowest responsible bidder, sending the approved WisDOT cost‑sharing letter, and continuing with the renewed interim financing schedule through April 2026.