Council approves $428,250 engineering amendment as Taimia Street project shifts to concrete

Keokuk — The City Council on July 3 approved an amendment to the engineering contract for the Taimia Street reconstruction after pavement testing showed the existing asphalt could not support a mill-and-fill overlay.

Council voted to add $428,250 to the base fee for the Bolton & Mink design contract, bringing the not-to-exceed engineering fee to $463,250, to redesign the project for Portland cement concrete rather than the previously planned mill-and-fill approach.

"After pavement cores were taken it was determined that the thickness of the existing asphalt would not adequately support a mill overlay," Speaker 3 said in explaining the change. "This is a substantial increase in design services due to the unforeseen circumstances and the project designing changing to Portland cement concrete."

City staff and council members discussed the estimated construction cost (roughly $4.8 million in current planning documents) and potential funding sources. Speaker 2 (identified in the meeting as Brian) said the city would pursue state and federal financing options, including a state revolving fund (SRF) loan and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the stormwater portion, and noted Keokuk’s favorable position for partial grant reimbursement.

"We will look to try to put ourselves on this project in a position to at least be considered by them to give us some grant reimbursement on it," Speaker 5 said, summarizing options that could reimburse an estimated portion of stormwater costs.

Council and staff also discussed stormwater/sewer separation as part of the redesign. Speaker 2 said the design will install new, dedicated storm lines to separate stormwater from the sanitary sewer, reducing flows to the treatment plant and helping compliance with EPA requirements.

Parking impacts were addressed: Speaker 2 said one-sided parking would remain where it exists and that standard street widths (32 feet in parts of the design) will allow on-street parking in other sections.

The motion to amend the engineering contract passed by voice vote. Staff said the amendment and further design work would return to council if scope expansions (for additional sewer separation) require additional approvals.

Next steps: design revisions, pursuit of SRF and CDBG grant opportunities for stormwater work, and further council review if the scope or cost changes.