The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.



La Harpe City Council Awards Water Treatment Plant Contracts

Water Treatment Plant Contracts Total $5,202,835

by Mike Rodeffer, The Quill

At the February 11th La Harpe City Council meeting, the Council agreed to water treatment plant contracts in the amount of $5,202,835.50.

Bids were received for separate contracts which concerned different phases of work.

Eric Moe and Megan Crook represented IMEG, the city's engineers who are heading the city's new water treatment plant project.

IMEG, the city's engineers, recommended to the council the following five contracts:

Contract 1: (WTP Building and general contract work) Award the bid of Trotter General Contracting in the amount of $1,839,500 subject to RD concurrence. Authorize Trotter to engage in subcontracts in excess of 50% of the contract value.

Contract 2: (R/O Equipment) The engineers are asking to delay this award until they have performed additional due diligence.

Contract 3: (Wells) Award the bid of Laverdiere Construction in the amount of $845,696.00 subject to RD concurrence. Authorize Laverdiere to engage in sub contracts in excess of 50% of the contract value.

Contract 4: (Water main and lift station) Award the bid of Laverdiere Construction in the amount of $2,070,511.50 as corrected subject to RD concurrence.

Contract 5: (Water tower maintenance) Award the bid of Maguire Iron in the amount of $447,128.00 subject to RD concurrence.

The La Harpe City Council agreed to the water treatment plant contracts in the amount of $5,202,835.50

Motions were made and approved on contracts 1, 3, 4, and 5. All bids accepted were low bids for each contract.

Rural Development must concur with all contracts since government loans and money are involved.

Any sub-contractors used have to be approved by IMEG, the project engineers.

Megan Crook stated that by the council's next meeting, they (IMEG) should have a recommendation for Contract 2.

In other business, Kurt Dittmer, with Rasmussen and Dittmer Law Office in La Harpe, brought a check to the council for $385,000 from the Johnson Farm Trust which will be passed along to the La Harpe School District. The city will receive $2000 for their portion as trustee. The council approved the Johnson Trust Farm report and also retained Kurt Dittmer as farm manager.

Tim Graves reported that the city crew had cut a tree down at the reservoir and 80% of it was cleaned up before inclement weather set in. Graves also reported that there were two trees that needed to come down at the lift station and one near the sight of where the new wells are to be put in. He said the city crew should be able to accomplish those items.

Graves reported of some stairs in bad shape and some electrical work that may need done at the Historical Society building. Graves was looking toward summer to do the work.

Police Chief Larry Finch gave information on a rebuilt taser which was on sale for $599.99. The council questioned the need for a second taser. Max Owsley spoke up and said he would pay for one half of it. The council will have this item put on the next agenda for consideration.

The council who met at 7 p.m. at City Hall, approved January minutes, the treasurer's report and bills and adjourned at 8:03 p.m.

Those in attendance were: Mayor Kat Hasten-Reed, Council members, Dave Clover, Jerry Burford, Kelly Harkey, Randy Shumaker, Greg Wisslead and Brian Covert, Clerk Lucretia McPeak, Treasurer Maggie Link, Attorney Chris Scholz, employees Trevor Finch, David Little, Dan Carpenter, Tim Graves, Police Chief Larry Finch, ESDA Rep Max Owsley, Kurt Dittmer, IMEG reps Eric Moe and Megan Crook, Dan Gillett and Michael Rodeffer.