City Council Meeting Date: August 4, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Justin Wagner, Utilities Manager
David Bennett, P.E., Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Consider Resolution Accepting Bids and Awarding Contract for Jefferson Parkway Extension, Sandstone Street Construction and Utility Improvements.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council considers the attached Resolution accepting bids and awarding contract for the Jefferson Parkway Extension, Sandstone Street Construction and Utility Improvements (WATR2023-J34).
Summary Report:
The City Council is being asked to accept bids and award contract for the Water Treatment Plant Street and Utility Extensions (WATR2023-J34). The plans and specifications were completed by Bolton & Menk, Inc. At the June 17, 2025, City Council meeting, the Council authorized advertisement for bids for the above-referenced project via Resolution 2025-062. The project was advertised as required by Minnesota Statute and published in the Northfield News.
The City received several responsive, competitive bids, which were publicly opened and tabulated on July 17, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. The lowest responsive bidder is S.M. Hentges & Sons, Inc. with a bid total of $8,277,658.45 the bids ranged from $8,277,658 to $10,473,639. The bid was under the engineers’ estimate by roughly $1.4 Million.
Bolton and Menk, Inc. reviewed the bids, and staff recommends approval of the lowest bid.
Council had previously discussed whether to continue with this project. There was unanimous feedback of support to proceed ahead with these improvements. The project advances infrastructure to service a future location of a water treatment plant for when, or if, the time is determined appropriate to do so (former location was near Sibley School), it meets the obligation of the purchase agreement with the prior owner to complete the road extensions, provides “ready” infrastructure for a priority housing growth area of which new housing development is a strategic priority for the City.
Alternative Options:
The City Council could choose not to approve the bids; however, staff does not recommend this based on the bids coming in under the engineers’ estimate and the need for installation of the raw watermains this year prior to Jefferson Parkway mill and overlay next year.
Financial Impacts:
The bid came in at $8,277,658.45 by S.M. Hentges & Sons, Inc.
The project was planned and in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The project will be bonded and paid for through the water fund. Staff is currently evaluating the debt financing and whether to include the water tower project together.
Tentative Timelines:
Raw watermain will be installed in 2025, roadway and trunk sanitary sewer can be constructed in 2025 to 2026.