Committee of the Whole

CITY OF AMERY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE PROCEEDINGS November 16th, 2021 The Committee of the Whole of the City of Amery met on Tuesday – November 16th, 2021 at City Hall and via Zoom. Council President, Chad Leonard called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M. Present: Council President, Chad Leonard; Mayor, Paul Isakson; and Alderpersons, Tim Strohbusch; Rick Van Blaricom (Arrived at 5:02); Sarah Flanum; and Eric Elkin. Absent: None Staff Present: City Administrator, Patty Bjorklund; City Clerk-Treasurer, Ben Jansen; Administrative Assistant, Taylor Larson; Police Chief, Tom Marson; Fire Chief, Dale Koehler; and Public Works Director, Jeff Mahoney. Staff Absent: Library Director, Amy Stormberg. Others Present: Eric Barclay – MSA; and Representatives from Cemstone and Sampson Concrete. Public Comment – Council President, Leonard took the time to inform the public about upcoming events happening in Amery. Department Head Reports – Reports were heard from Administrator, Bjorklund; Clerk-Treasurer, Jansen; Chief, Marson; Chief, Koehler; and Director, Mahoney. Potential Change Order for Keller Avenue Reconstruction – Concrete Compressive Strength – To begin the conversation Eric Barclay from MSA gave an overview of the issue being discussed. The specified strength for the concrete was 4,500 PSI at the 28-day mark. Almost all of the concrete failed to meet this requirement. Eric has recommended that the City does not pay for any of the material used. The amount for that deduct would be just over $166,000. The costs broken down are as follows: 67.9% for curb and gutter, 37.6% for the 5-inch flatwork, 39% for the 7-inch flatwork, and 43.1% for the original-colored concrete. Cemstone presented their case afterwards. Their representative requested the opportunity to conduct an independent test of the cement strength. According to them the tests that were conducted were not up to industry standard and that is why the tests came up as failures. Sampson Concrete disagreed as they have done this testing for 42 years without issue. Sampson Concrete did not argue whether there should be a deduct for the product. Their main argument was how much of a deduct should be taken. The idea was floated that the payment should be put into escrow until such time as further tests can be done. Cemstone again stated that more tests should be done as the previous ones were not done correctly. The reps from Sampson concrete stated that Cemstone should be responsible for replacing the portions of sidewalks that they intend to test. After more core tests the portions of sidewalk will look very shabby and rough according to Sampson. Motion by Strohbusch; seconded by Van Blaricom; to give Cemstone permission to conduct their core tests, at 4-inch thickness, with the understanding that the City reserves the right to have the portions tested replaced. The money for the payment of this will be held in escrow. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion Carried. Motion by Strohbusch; seconded by Flanum; to adjourn at 6:07 P.M. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion Carried Respectfully Submitted, Ben Jansen, MPA Clerk-Treasurer November 18th, 2021 1