Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
Shawano officials Wednesday approved a slew of spending resolutions, most of which had already been budgeted for in the city’s capital purchases budget.
However, the resolutions included one unexpected expenditure to address the deteriorating condition of the boat launch at Huckleberry Harbor.
The city recently took temporary steps to address the problem, making improvements to the boat ramp that should see it through this year, according to Eddie Sheppard, public works director.
A study by MSA Professional Services showed more substantial repairs are needed for the longer term.
The Shawano Common Council approved contracting with MSA for engineering services needed at Huckleberry Harbor, in the amount of $13,200, which includes a site survey, permit application, plan development, grant application, bidding administration and project management services.
City Administrator Brian Knapp said there is some grant money available for the project, and it’s hoped the rest of the expense can be covered by other capital improvement projects and purchases coming in under budget.
Other spending approved by the council Wednesday included the following:
• A $12,500 bid awarded to Knope Heating and Air Conditioning for five window air-conditioning units in the amount of $12,500 to cool well equipment at the municipal wells. The city budgeted $16,000 for the purchase after a recent DNR assessment that the city’s use of an open window to cool the equipment was no longer an acceptable practice.
• A $32,475 bid from Buss Automotive Inc. for a 2015 ¾-ton pickup for the DPW. The item had been budgeted at $35,000.
• A $17,997 bid from TAPCO for two Siemens traffic controllers and Opticom system updates. Over the past three years, the city has been phasing out its existing traffic controllers due to failures with the controllers and lack of technical support.
• A $50,137 bid from Resco Electric Utility Supply; a $6,728 bid from Crescent Electric Supply Company; and a $7,555 bid from WESCO Distribution for the annual purchases of various pad-mounted transformers for Shawano Municipal Utilities.
• A $9,500 bid from Knope Heating and Air Conditioning for a Carrier rooftop gas heating/electric cooling 10.5-ton unit that will serve both City Hall and the Police Department.
The city also rejected the only bid that came in for a site redevelopment plan for Spirit of Shawano Park.
The parks and recreation department received a $184,096 bid from Martell Construction Inc. that came in about twice the amount expected.
Park and Recreation Director Matt Hendricks said the inflated price was likely due to timing, given that most construction companies are already well-booked for this year.
The project will be re-bid either this fall or early next year.
In another park-related matter, the council approved a $5,600 proposal from Rettler Corp. for the completion of a master plan for the newly designated Smalley Park along the Wolf River near the Shawano Medical Center.
Hendricks said the department will be looking for input from the community on what they would like to see at the park.