(Spirit Lake)– The city of Spirit Lake will once again do its own excavating on the Hill Avenue South Project.
Meeting in special session Monday, the council voted three-to-one to approve bids for materials on the project, paving the way for the city to do its own work.
Councilman Jerry Harbst cast the lone no vote, once again siting concerns over the city taking work away from private contractors. He was also concerned the additional work for city crews could take them away from other maintenance projects. Public Works Director Todd Dolphin again disputed the concerns, saying there are very few local contractors capable of doing this type of work, and that the project’s timeframe would be at the mercy of the contractor. Dolphin also said the city crews have still been able to keep up on maintenance projects in the past, even while being involved in the excavation projects. Harbst also expressed concern over problems that have surfaced with some projects the city has done in the past. Dolphin responded by saying the problem wasn’t with workmanship or expertise, but with materials that were available.
Material bids for the South Hill Avenue Project were awarded to K & P Materials of Estherville for rock and gravel for 13,075; 41,940-dollars was awarded for concrete manholes and reinforced concrete pipe from Sibley Concrete Products; and a bid of 61,776-dollars was awarded to Utility Equipment Company for sewer and water piping.
Councilman Duane Yager was absent from Monday’s meeting.
