Water tower repair to cost $580,000

The city received four bids that met the qualifications for the water tower rehabilitation project. Wade Senger of Interstate Engineering provided a tabulation sheet to commissioners at their Dec. 2 meeting, noting each company’s itemized base bid as well as costs for two alternatives. The company offering the lowest base bid was Menomonie, Wisc. based Classic Protective Coating. Senger said the company’s bid of $579,958 was more than $200,000 over the city’s original budget of $376,000 for the project, but savings realized in the water main replacement portion would free up the funds needed to do this necessary work.

The project involves sandblasting both the exterior and interior of the city’s water tower, performing repairs to the tank as needed, then re-coating both sides and repainting “New Rockford” on the outside of the tank.

Senger contacted three of the company’s engineering references, including KLM, Apex and Moore Engineering. KLM has done the most work with the company, a total of eight tanks, and noted that they are a “preferred” vendor for water tank rehabilitation projects. With that, he recommended that the city accept Classic Protective Coating’s base bid contingent upon USDA approval. The city concurred.

The two alternative bids were also discussed, including the addition of the words “Rockets” or “Home of the Rockets” to two sides underneath “New Rockford.” The cost per Classic Protective Coating’s bid is $9,350 and $11,425, respectively. There is a committee associated with the school interested in raising money to pursue one or the other option, but adequate funds are not in place at this time. Senger said that it is possible that the company will honor its price should funds be in place before the tank is painted.

The other alternative involves using a new process to coat the interior, which consists of two coats of a thicker product. The generally accepted standard process is a three-cost system using a bit thinner product. Senger asked that the city not consider this alternative, as the cost is too high for the budget.

The commission approved the third payment to BEK Consulting for the water main replacement, a total of $31,170.45, and a $71,435.06 payment to Interstate Engineering for their services on the project. An intermediate construction meeting was held with BEK Consulting to address issues, and communication was noted as the biggest concern. After a scan of the neighborhoods where water lines were installed this fall, some temporary water disconnection issues were discovered and resolved.

The NDDOT also sent a bill for work on U.S. Hwy. 281 completed this fall, a cost of $86,000 to the city. New street lights have been installed along the highway, and after five years, the city was finally able to put up Christmas lights on the poles last week. Work on the frontage roads will commence next spring, which is estimated to be a cost of approximately $200,000 to the city.

Commissioner Stuart Richter presented a bill from Wold Engineering, representing schematics work done for a new airport hangar as requested by the Airport Authority. Richter noted that since the plans were completed the city has “changed gears on it.” A committee has been formed to address the next steps of the project and decide what engineering firm to engage moving forward. The city agreed to pay the $11,212.50, half of which will be reimbursed by the State Aeronautics Commission.

Amanda Hegland of NRABC brought forward a new program called the North Dakota Main Street Program. An extension of Governor Burgum’s Main Street Initiative, this state program provides grant funds to property owners within a designated portion of a city. Similar to the Renaissance Zone program that provides tax incentives for investment, city officials must officially “designate” an area in which at least 25% of the buildings are considered “slum or blight.” Since New Rockford is a low to moderate income community by state standards, the city qualifies for the program.

Commissioner Kelly McKnight, Hegland and an NRABC board member will comprise a committee tasked with conducting an inventory of every building within the designated area, which is loosely defined at this point as the city’s entire “downtown” area. More details will be shared as the process progresses

Once the area is designated by city officials and receives approval from the state, property owners will have access to grant funds from the state. Hegland said that in the first year, only private for-profit businesses will qualify for funds. In year two, the city can apply to improve city-owned property. Beginning with year three, non-profits will be eligible to apply. The designation is effective for 10 years.

The City Commission will again offer Chamber bucks to employees as a Christmas bonus. Each full-time employee will receive $200, and each part-time employee $100. The discussion about 2020 wages increases was tabled to January.

The next commission meeting is set for Jan. 6, 2020.