The Park Rapids City Council awarded a bid Tuesday for a well and water treatment facility project.
Project engineer Jon Olson with Apex Engineering Group reported about three bids received to build a new city well, seal four old wells no longer suitable for drinking, and improve and rehabilitate the water system by reconfiguring lines and replacing deficient equipment.
Although Apex offered the option of including a deductive alternate bid, to allow additional time for part of the project to be completed next year, Olson said all three bidders submitted a base bid only.
The bids were $664,800 from American General Contractors, $643,000 from Northern Plains Contracting and $496,860 from Minnesota Mechanical Solutions of Waite Park.
Before recommending that the council award the low bid, Olson said that he spoke with the owner of Minnesota Mechanical Solutions to confirm that it’s a responsible bid, and after double-checking his figures, the owner said he stood by it.
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Council member Erika Randall moved to award the bid to Minnesota Mechanical Solutions, contingent on a permit approval by the Minnesota Department of Health. The motion passed unopposed.
Stumpage agreement
In consent items, the city council also approved a stumpage agreement with PotlatchDeltic Land & Lumber LLC, the higher of two bidders, to thin a tree plantation on municipal airport property.
PotlatchDeltic offered an estimated $22,900 for approximately 400 cords of red pine bolts at $40 per cord; 110 cords of spruce and white pine bolts at $30 per cord; 10 cords of Scotch pine bolts at $25 per cord; and 220 cords of mixed pine and spruce pulp at $5 per cord.
The other bid was from C & M Walsh Logging, for $19,580.
According to a staff report in the council’s agenda packet, the stumpage estimate was based on a survey by licensed forester Eric Olson. With timbering most likely to happen in spring 2021, payments will go toward airport revenue.
In other business, the council:
Granted a public facilities use permit to Trinity Church to use the Deane Park pavilion from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 for a funeral luncheon.
Approved a lawful gambling exempt permit for North Country Friends of the NRA to hold a charitable raffle Oct. 17 at the American Legion.
Refunded the Armory Arts and Event Center $25 for a public facilities use permit due to a July 23 event being canceled.
Authorized the surplus sale of eight forfeited vehicles via an online auction company. The vehicles, in the Park Rapids Police Department’s possession, include a 1977 Chevy Nova, a 1999 Buick Century, a 2003 Chrysler Town and Country, a 2003 Chevy Tahoe, A 2004 Toyota Prius, A 2006 Subaru Impreza, a 2006 Chevy Equinox and a 2008 Dodge Avenger.
Approved payables totaling $143,138 and prepaids totaling $182,616.
Had a closed session to discuss a performance evaluation of City Administrator Ryan Mathisrud.
The city council’s next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8 at city hall, following a 5 p.m. work session regarding the city’s 2021 budget and property tax levy.
