Public Works Committee (Meets 1st Thursday of each month at 5:00 p.m.)
Regular MeetingSuperior, WI · April 4, 2024
Minutes
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MINUTES
April 4, 2024 Regular Meeting
The meeting was called to order by Councilor Van Sickle at 5:03 p.m. on April 4, 2024, in Government Center Room
204.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Jenny Van Sickle, Ruth Ludwig, Nick Ledin, Tylor Elm (alt)
1. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Jenny Van Sickle, Nick Ledin, Ruth Ludwig, Tylor Elm
City Staff Present: Todd Janigo, Kara Czapinski, Linda Cadotte*, Darienne McNamara*,
Ida Sampson, Erin Abramson, Jane Darwin*
Others Present: Shelley Nelson*, Jon Dotterer*, John Ramos, Mike Moneymaker*
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2.1. Public Works Committee (Meeting held March 7, 2024)
MOTION by Ludwig, second by Ledin and carried to approve the minutes from
March 7, 2024.
3. OLD BUSINESS
3.1. Discussion regarding city composting drop site locations.
Ida Sampson announced that they have confirmed four composting drop site locations:
Bear Creek Park, Billings Park Maintenance Garage, Bethel Lutheran Church, and
Northwest Community Services Agency. They have already received some materials, such
as envelopes with bags and free bins. Currently, they are reaching out to places willing to
display these items for distribution. Additionally, they are working on creating outreach
materials to be included with utility billings in two weeks, as well as posters for the drop
sites and throughout the city. During the committee discussion, it was decided to establish a
compost drop site near Loon's Foot Landing and Barker's Island fish cleaning station. The
goal is to have the bins installed by May 1, 2024. The committee requested an update on
progress during the September meeting.
4. NEW BUSINESS
4.1. Recommendation to award Landfill Drilling & Piping for the installation of five gas wells
at Moccasin Mike Landfill in the amount of $216,060.00.
The project planning for the Landfill has been ongoing for a significant period and will
complement the Vespene Energy route by converting and releasing methane as carbon. Jon
Dotter, President of Dot Energy Solutions, expressed concerns about reevaluating or
potentially disqualifying the lowest bidder for the project. He stated that two bids were
submitted on time, while one was delayed due to a snowstorm but was accepted via email.
Jane Darwin, the Contract Analyst, confirmed that the bids were due on Tuesday, March
26, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. She received an email from the lowest bidder at 11:13 a.m. on March
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE – 4/04/2024 Meeting (Meets monthly on 1st Thursday at 5 p.m.) Page 1 of 5
*Attended virtually
26th, providing UPS tracking information and stating that the bid package was sent
overnight on March 22nd, with guaranteed delivery on March 25th. However, due to the
snowstorm, the delivery was delayed by one day. After consulting with Attorney Frog
Prell, it was confirmed that the bid could be accepted electronically. Committee members
were curious about the significant cost differences among the three bidders. Darienne
McNamara mentioned that they were expecting even lower costs than what was presented.
One notable difference between the first and second bids was the inclusion of ancillary
items related to drilling, such as erosion control mobilization and site preparation. The
actual drilling and well materials themselves were relatively similar. Moving forward, there
was a discussion about updating the language in the bidding documents regarding how the
city accepts bids. It was also discovered that Dot Energy Solutions did not include the
affidavit of compliance for their subcontractors when submitting their bid package.
McNamara emphasized the importance of capturing the gas generated from landfills as it
decomposes, as it produces a significant amount of methane. This aspect is separate from
the Vespene Energy project and the flair. However, it is crucial for the city to prioritize gas
capture as they manage waste disposal.
Motion by Ludwig, second by Ledin and carried to award Landfill Drilling & Piping
for the installation of five gas wells at Moccasin Mike Landfill in the amount of
$216,060.00.
Mike Moneymaker left the meeting virtually at 5:55 p.m.
Jon Dotterer left the meeting virtually at 5:59 p.m.
4.2. Recommendation to approve the Submerged Land Lease Agreement for Wisconsin Point
with the Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.
According to McNamara, the Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Land is
responsible for issuing submerged land leases. Wisconsin Point has experienced significant
erosion, particularly around Lot 1 in the closed landfill. A study conducted by the
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) focused on erosion along the
shoreline. The study revealed that between approximately 2006 and 2016, the most active
erosion occurred at Lot 1 in the closed landfill and further down at Schafer Beach. This
erosion has affected recreational facilities and poses a threat to the landfill. To address this
issue in the long term, the city has been collaborating with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Sea Grant. The goal is to
enhance resilience while recognizing the dynamic nature of the area and ensuring public
access and protection of the landfill.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE – 4/04/2024 Meeting (Meets monthly on 1st Thursday at 5 p.m.) Page 2 of 5
*Attended virtually
To ensure that there is no exposed waste and that the public can access the beach this
summer, we have requested the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to use some of the dredge
material from their routine navigational channel maintenance and place it on the beach. The
WDNR will monitor and sample the dredge material to determine its suitability. This lease
would allow the city to have control over the area for 25 years and make decisions
regarding its use. Concerns about potential toxins will be addressed through baseline
sampling by the WDNR, which will assess the grain size and contaminant levels of the
material to ensure it is compatible with what is already on the beach. The goal is to have
the dredge material be as clean, if not cleaner, than the existing beach material.
MOTION by Ledin, second by Ludwig and carried to approve the Submerged Land
Lease Agreement for Wisconsin Point with the Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of
Public Lands.
Dariene McNamara left the meeting virtually at 6:07 p.m.
Jane Darwin left the meeting virtually at 6:09 p.m.
4.3. Recommendation to approve bid award SFCP#1034 to Advantage Air Heating & Cooling
for the Wondolkowski Project.
Erin Abramson has identified this project as part of the Stormwater Flood Control Program.
This program utilizes public funds to enhance private infrastructure, aiming to minimize
the occurrence and severity of basement backups caused by the overloading of public
sewers. Additionally, it aims to divert clear water from foundation drains away from the
sanitary sewer system. The program's procedure manual includes a statement that
individual homeowners are required to cover costs ranging from $10,000.00 to $15,000.00
per home, subject to approval by the Public Works Committee. This is the first instance
where a house has exceeded the $10,000.00 threshold. The property in question is unique
as it consists of an original home with foundation drains and a clear water catch basin, as
well as an added section with separate foundation drains and another clear water catch
basin. Consequently, we presented two bidding options: connecting the two sets of
foundation drains and discharging into one sump pump, or maintaining separate foundation
drains with two individual sump pumps. Advantage Air submitted the lowest bid for the
latter option. The city will cover $9,455.00 of the costs, while the homeowner's share
amounts to $775.00, covering expenses related to televising and the removal of illicit gray
water.
MOTION by Ledin, second by and Ludwig carried to approve bid award SFCP#1034
to Advantage Air Heating & Cooling for the Wondolkowski Project.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE – 4/04/2024 Meeting (Meets monthly on 1st Thursday at 5 p.m.) Page 3 of 5
*Attended virtually
4.4. Recommendation to approve the purchase of replacement pumps for Lift Station 1 through
Electric Pump, in an amount not anticipated to exceed $66,000.00.
MOTION by Ledin, second by Ludwig and carried to approve the purchase of
replacement pumps for Lift Station 1 through Electric Pump, in an amount not
anticipated to exceed $66,000.00.
Director Cadotte left the meeting virtually at 6:22 p.m.
4.5. Recommendation to award the 2024 Sidewalk Replacement contract to Duluth Concrete,
LLC in the amount of $290,415.43.
Director Janigo explained that the project consists of two components. The first part
involves the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, which will be
dedicated to work in CDBG neighborhoods, specifically in the North End and Mid-Town
Areas. The second part, funded by the CIP Sidewalk Replacement Program, will focus on
non-CDBG work primarily in the University of Wisconsin (UWS) neighborhood.
MOTION by Ludwig, second by Ledin and carried to award the 2024 Sidewalk
Replacement contract to Duluth Concrete, LLC in the amount of $290,415.43.
5. RECURRING BUSINESS
5.1. ESD Director’s Update – Received and filed.
5.2. Director’s Update
5.2.1. Bill Amorde will be retiring from his role at the Bong Airport after serving for 45
years. A request for proposal is currently open to search for a new airport manager,
with the deadline set for next Tuesday.
5.2.2. Currently focused on incorporating fiber conduit to the Hammond Avenue Project.
The project is likely to commence in late May.
5.2.3. A public meeting was held for East 5th Street, and the crews will conduct an
inspection of some of the culverts tomorrow morning to assess their condition.
5.2.4. The Municipal Services Building (MSB) is nearing completion of its space
assessment, which will provide a finalized layout for the building. The architect plans
to present this layout to all MSB employees in order to gather their input.
5.2.5. The request for proposals for milling and overlay projects is now accessible.
Additionally, there is an opportunity for a route and seal project from Belknap Street
on East 2nd Street to North 53rd Street.
5.3. Future Agenda Items
5.4. Confirm the next meeting date of May 2, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. in Room 204 of the
Government Center.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE – 4/04/2024 Meeting (Meets monthly on 1st Thursday at 5 p.m.) Page 4 of 5
*Attended virtually
6. ADJOURNMENT
Councilor Van Sickle announced the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Kara Czapinski
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE – 4/04/2024 Meeting (Meets monthly on 1st Thursday at 5 p.m.) Page 5 of 5
*Attended virtually
Get email alerts for Superior
A daily email when new agendas and minutes are posted.