The city received 12 bids ranging from $958,299 to $1,148,792. Kuechle was the low bidder.
City Engineer Pete Carlson thought the bidding was good. "The bids were very close and competitive," Carlson told the council. His rough estimate for the project was $1,107,000.
"With the higher fuel prices, the asphalt bids were higher than I anticipated but the sewer pipe portion was lower," he said. "The fuel prices are locked in with the bid. If the prices go up, there shouldn't be a problem," Carlson added.
Carlson told the council that with the unusually warm weather, Kuechle wants to get an early start on the project. The first area will probably be Project 55. Project 55, the extension of Spruce Street, was added to the 2000 Street Project and is estimated to cost $351,979.
A frontage road from Hudson Street west to Maple Street will be added to the project as a change order, saving the city some money. Carlson said by adding the work as a change order, the bidding process can be eliminated and the engineering fees reduced. Also, because the majority of the cost will be covered by Minnesota Department of Transport-ation (MnDOT), the financing cost can be eliminated.
The frontage road will cost about $50,663. Carlson estimates that after MnDOT's contribution of $50,000, the project will cost about $663. "The amount is relatively small. The city can borrow the funds until we get reimbursed from MnDOT," Carlson added.
A public hearing has been set for April 12 at 7 p.m. for the frontage road project. All three projects are expected to cost $1,402,962 (including legal fees, engi-neering fees, and financing). The three projects are the 2000 street improvements, Project 55, and the frontage road.
The 2000 street improvement project includes upgrading and replacing worn water and sewer lines on the following streets:
•Augusta Street from Railroad Street to James Street;
•James Street from Lake Avenue to Garfield Avenue;
•Pomeroy Avenue from Railroad Street to Hoffman Avenue;
•Garfield Avenue from Railroad Street to Hoffman Avenue;
•Railroad Street from Washburne Avenue to Augusta Avenue;
•Mill Street from Lake Avenue to Stearns Avenue;
•Koronis Avenue from Mill Street to Main Street;
•Richmond Street commencing at the north side of the intersection of Richmond Street and Mill Street and continuing north to the end of Richmond Street (Crow River Nature Park).
Police contract
The city of Paynesville and Paynesville Township have approved the 2000 police contract. This is the fourth year of a five-year contract, Tony Schmitt, police chief, told the council.
The township is contracting for 1,200 hours of police protection from the Paynesville Police Department at a cost of $30,610.
Vacating Stearns Avenue
The council approved vacating an undeveloped portion of Stearns Avenue, south of Highway 55, extending south to the township line.
Carlson explained that a portion of the vacated avenue would be kept as a utility access easement for Project 55. A portion of Stearns Avenue would be rededicated and shifted about 130 feet to the east of the vacated site.
A public hearing will be held on Wednesday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m. Carlson informed the council the preliminary plat for Project 55 should be done by that date and possibly the final plat will be ready for review.
Water-sewer extension
The city of Paynesville has been asked to hook up the home of Cyrill Fredrick to water and sewer services.
The Fredrick home is located on the west end of Minnie Street. When the street was improved in 1993, they were overlooked. The home is presently served by a well and septic system.
Ron Mergen, public works director, said the owner is willing to pay up to $7,500 to have his home connected to city services.
Mergen said there are other homes west of Fredricks which are located in the township. They have been contacted and do not wish to be connected to city services.
The council approved the Fredrick request and the work will be done this summer.
River crossing
Streets were platted many years ago on the western edge of Paynesville but never developed.
Willie Scheel, Paynesville, is in the process of purchasing the property north of the North Fork Crow River and has requested the city to provide services to the area. In order to do this, the city will have to pipe water and sewer lines under the river to connect with the present system. The nearest water and sewer line ends on Liberty Street.
Carlson said the area could be served by a lift station which would tie back into the sewer system across the river. The size of the service area for the lift station has not been determined. It could serve anywhere from 60 acres to 160 acres.
Scheel is planning on developing more than 30 lots divided over 36 acres. The council told Scheel to check the floodplain maps before finalizing his plat.
The only access into the area would be a proposed road off Highway 55.
"We can't do anything until Scheel has the preliminary plat completed," Mergen said.
"If work is done this summer, the cost would be assessed back to the land it benefits and the property owner," Mergen said. "If the lots don't sell right away, Scheel would be responsible for paying the assessments."
Mergen said the lift station size would depend on how big an area it would serve. Assessment costs for the future plat would be about $72 per foot. Assessment per acre, including the cost of the lift station and river crossing, is estimated at $1,269.
Estimated cost for the entire river crossing project is more than $412,000.