City Council Meeting Date: July 7, 2026
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 Northwest Area Water Tower Site.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council considers the attached Resolution accepting bids and awarding contract for the Northwest Area Water Tower Site Project (WATR2025-J37)
Summary Report:
The City Council is being asked to accept bids and award contract for the Northwest Area Water Tower Site Project (WATR2025-J37). The plans and specifications were completed by SEH, Inc. At the May 19, 2026 City Council meeting, the Council authorized advertisement for bids for the above-referenced project via Resolution 2026-053. The project was advertised as required by Minnesota Statute and published in the Northfield News.
The City received 15 responsive, competitive bids, which were publicly opened and tabulated on June 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. The lowest responsive bidder is James Bros Construction with a bid total of $245,889.84. The bids ranged from $245,889.84 to $542,878.29. The bid was under the engineers' estimate of $422,193.77 by roughly $175,000.
SEH, Inc. reviewed the bids, and staff recommends approval of the lowest bid.
Please note this is only the sitework of the project. The Army Corps of Engineers will be managing the remaining portion of the project.
Alternative Options:
The City Council could choose not to approve the bids; however, staff does not recommend this since site access and connection to the City's water system is required for the NW water tower.
Financial Impacts:
The bid came in at $245,889.84 by James Bros Construction.
The project was planned and in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The project will be paid for through the water fund.
The total cost of the Northwest Water Tower (including site work, tower and all other...
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