West Bend awards two street-reconstruction contracts to Mueller Excavating; approves waterline bid advertisement to serve Parkside

The Board of Public Works voted to award two reconstruction contracts and authorized advertising for a related waterline extension at its March 2 meeting.

City staff presented Contract 2601 for Kilborn Avenue (phase 2, Indiana to Winchester) and recommended awarding the work — including sanitary sewer, water and storm upgrades, lead lateral replacements, curb and gutter, sidewalk spot repairs and new pavement — to Mueller Excavating as the apparent low bidder. Staff recommended a contingency of 5.58% and a total allocation “not to exceed $3,110,000,” funded from water utilities, sewer utility and engineering capital projects. The board approved the award by voice vote.

Staff then presented Contract 2602 for Heather Drive reconstruction, which will include sanitary and water-line work, replacement of several water-main valves and a new catch basin at 12th Avenue North of Park to address an ongoing stormwater issue. Max, the presenting staff member, said the city received eight bids and again recommended Mueller Excavating as the low bidder; the board approved that award by voice vote.

Council members asked whether awarding both contracts to the same contractor could stretch capacity or extend the timeline for residents. Alderman Matt asked if the city had discussed the contractor’s ability to do both jobs; Max said contracts are written with flexible start dates but firm completion windows (typically 60–90 days per contract), and contractors commonly phase crews (underground crews first, surface crews later) so that multiple contracts can be completed during the construction season. Max said the city had seen this sequencing work on prior years’ projects and did not express concern about the contractor’s ability to complete both projects on schedule.

The board also approved permission to advertise Contract 2607, a waterline extension tied to next year’s Main Street reconstruction (Progress Drive to Houmar Street). Max told the board the city is using federal DOT funding for the Main Street reconstruction and wants to extend a water line to the driveway that will serve the future Parkside development so the city does not have to reopen newly reconstructed Main Street later. Staff provided a preliminary estimate of $64,000 for the waterline work and said it would be funded from park fees and previously budgeted engineering funds; the board approved going out for bids and plans to return to council for contract award.

All three Public Works items were included on the council’s consent agenda and were adopted by the Common Council later in the evening.

The Board of Public Works chair closed the meeting after the items were approved. The city’s project memos list Mueller Excavating as the apparent low bidder on both reconstruction contracts and identify the planned scope and funding sources; the council approved funding and the authorization to proceed to solicitation for the Parkside waterline.