Adopting a Resolution awarding a contract to Carl Bolander & Sons Co. in the amount of $8,241,235.20 for Upgrade/Replace Zumbro River Siphon at Silver Lake and Sewer Extension - Project No. J7829.

The Upgrade/Replace Zumbro River Siphon at Silver Lake and Sewer Extension - Project No. J7829 was identified as a high priority project during the development of the Sanitary Sewer Master Plan and is needed to provide additional capacity to the East Zumbro sewershed. The siphon is the first of several capacity improvement projects that need to be completed before additional development can occur in the East Zumbro sewershed to prevent potential residential sanitary sewer back-ups. This project is also the first phase of the East Zumbro improvements included in the approved State Bonding proposal.

The siphon work is planned to occur when Silver Lake is lowered for the dam modification project to allow increased construction efficiencies. The lowering of the lake will allow the construction of the siphon with limited water impacts that would be present if the lake was at its normal water elevation. Additionally, the project includes upsizing the sanitary sewer along 7th St NE to 11th Ave NE. This upgrade will enable all sanitary work in the Silver Lake Park area, related to the East Zumbro sewershed, to be completed concurrently with other Silver Lake projects, thereby minimizing future disruptions in the park. The intersection of 7th St NE and 11th Ave NE has been improved to a roundabout design to remove one of the older traffic lights in the City and to improve traffic and pedestrian movements in the intersection.

WHKS completed the design and bid documents for Upgrade/Replace Zumbro River Siphon at Silver Lake and Sewer Extension - Project No. J7829.

The project was advertised for bids on August 4, 2026, and the following bids were received on September 9, 2026:

1. Carl Bolander & Sons Co.        $8,241,235.20

2. Geislinger & Sons, Inc              $8,708,280.50

3. S.M. Hentges & Son, Inc.         $10,398,433.25

4. Meyer Contracting Inc.             $11,547,089.25

5. Elcor Construction, Inc.            $18,347,496.50

Engineer's Estimate                        $9,091,765

The apparent low bid is $8,241,235.20, which is 9.4%, below the engineer’s estimate.

The Public Works Department recommends that the Council award the project to the apparent low bidder. Construction is scheduled to start on or after October 12, 2026, and is expected to be substantially completed by September 1, 2027.

This project is in alignment with the Council's Strategic Priority of Quality Services by executing infrastructure improvements that increase sanitary sewer capacity in advance of future growth to minimize the potential for sanitary sewer surges. The Sanitary Sewer Master Plan identifies the sewers that need to be improved for additional development in the East Zumbro sewershed.

This project is also part of the East Zumbro improvements outlined in the City's 2026 Legislative Priorities and 2025 federal grant approval.

The project details and construction impacts was included in the July 2025 public open house where the proposed Silver Lake Dam Modification and Sediment Removal project and various ongoing Silver Lake Park improvement projects were discussed. 

January 23, 2019: Council Meeting- Preliminary design services contract with WHKS approved.

June 1, 2020: Council Meeting - Sanitary Sewer Master plan approved.

February 3, 2025: Council Meeting- Final design services contract with WHKS approved.

July 17, 2025: Public Informational Meeting for Silver Lake Park and surrounding area projects.

July 28, 2025: Council Study Session - Included in Silver Lake Sediment Removal and Dam Modification update.

The project was in the 2022-2027 Sewer and Water Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) as Map No. 8 and in the current 2026-2031 Sewer and Water CIP as Map No. 6. and is funded by the Sewer Utility, and RPU Water, Stormwater Utility, and Streets for the roundabout improvement. The full project budget is $10,713,605.76 with engineering, interest, and contingencies added to the $8,241,235.20 construction contract.

No alternative actions are suggested at this time.