Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Low bid for Lester Prairie sewer project is 30 percent above estimate



Ivan Raconteur
Editor

LESTER PRAIRIE, MN – The specialized nature of the pipe-bursting technology and the relatively small scope of the project are the likely reasons bids for Lester Prairie’s Second Avenue North storm sewer project came in 30 percent higher than expected, according to city engineer Josh Eckstein, who presented the bids to the city council Tuesday.

Four bids were received, ranging from $422,019 to the low bid of $338,494 submitted by Ellingson Drainage of West Concord.

The engineer’s estimate for the project was $260,000.

Eckstein presented three options for the council’s consideration:

1) Award the complete project to Ellingson Drainage and complete the project this summer.

2) Award the project to Ellingson Drainage with a reduced scope, eliminating the open cut portion of the project from Fir Street to Elm Street, which would reduce the total cost by approximately $55,000.

3) reject the bid, and re-bid the project next winter. Eckstein said his conversations with the bidders indicated this is not likely to reduce the bid amounts.

The council approved option 2.

Pool fees approved

The council approved swimming pool fees for the 2016 season.

Daily admission will cost $4 for adults and $1 for children under 5.

Swimming lesson fees will be $40 per child.

Private lessons will cost $65 for five lessons, and $15 for each additional lesson.

Lap swim cost will be $4 each time; water aerobics fee will be $5 each time.

Season pass prices will be $40 for the first person plus $30 for each additional family member on the pass.

The pool rental fee will be $100 for groups of up to 50 people, and an additional $25 for more than 50 people due to the need for an additional guard.

Pool staff will include April Lee, pool manager; Morgan Roush, assistant manager; Taylor Kriz, Emma Leverich, Harley Hentges, Blair Jilek, Shane Ehrke, Tyler Ehrke, Maggie Piehl, Andrew Jackson, Clara Leverich, and Jacob Scherman.

Odds and ends

In other business, the council:

• recognized Sergeant Mark Thiry for 15 years of service on the Lester Prairie Police Department.

• approved a contract with Clarke Environmental Mosquito Management for mosquito control at a total cost of $5,712 for the season, less a 3 percent discount for paying the entire cost up front.

• approved hiring Jeremy Bautch as a part-time police officer.

• waived the $60 event fee for the Prairie Days celebration in July. Organizers are required to pay a $500 fee for police protection during the event.

• approved the use of city fields for a kickball league being organized through community education.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.