Monona committee approves contract awards and small budget amendments for streets, water tower, library and safety projects

The City of Monona Finance and Personnel Committee on March 2 approved several contract awards and a series of small budget amendments for infrastructure projects, including street and utility work, a water-tower painting, the library lower-level HVAC, and a rapid-flash beacon on East Broadway.

Mark, a city staff member presenting a budget amendment for the Tonya Watha Drive reconstruction project, said the project bid came in at about $2,596,000 and that the revenue-bond allocation for the water portion was short by roughly $195,000. Mark said the city plans to move $157,860 in savings from a water-tower painting revenue bond to cover most of that shortfall and use reserves if needed. "So my plan is for this, we have savings from the water tower painting ... the savings is about a 157,000," Mark said. The committee approved the budget amendment.

Staff reported SNL Underground submitted the low base bid for the '26 Street and Utility Improvements project at $2,533,864.15 and recommended award with bid alternates that include a center-line sealant layer to extend pavement life and selective full replacement of curb and gutter. The committee approved the award and the recommended alternates.

Dan (staff/presenter) said the water-tower painting project attracted 12 bidders and came in well under estimate; the recommended contract award was to L and T Painting for approximately $2,876,000. Dan also outlined two bid alternates for foam insulation in the cone and an added temperature sensor. The committee approved the contract award.

On the library lower-level HVAC project, staff reported bids totaling about $1,108,000 with a budget of $978,000, leaving a shortfall of roughly $130,000. Brad (online presenter) said one bidder withdrew after discovering they misread the scope, leaving JM Brennan as the apparent low bidder. The committee approved a budget amendment to cover the shortfall using previously identified fund balance and awarded the HVAC contract and a $42,000 construction-observation contract.

Staff requested a small capital amendment of $2,007.15 for an East Broadway rapid rectangular flashing beacon (RRFB) — $7,500 for an engineer's plan set and about $18,215 for the beacon plus $2,000 in materials, for a new total project funding need of $27,007.15. Mark said the project is funded by TIF 6 and that the TIF fund balance can cover the increase; the amendment was approved.

The committee also formalized direction to reduce the scope of a proposed public-safety and administration complex to bring initial options into a $25–30 million range for further evaluation.

Why it matters: These actions advance several capital projects that affect pavement longevity, neighborhood traffic safety, municipal infrastructure and library operations. Funding decisions draw on a mix of revenue bonds, general obligation and TIF resources.

What’s next: Contract awards and budget amendments will be implemented by city staff; several items will appear at the next council or public-works committee meetings as required.