Keokuk council approves Bel Air and South 10th projects; engineers’ estimates set for bidding

The Keokuk City Council opened public hearings on two street projects and approved resolutions to set plans, specifications, form of contract and engineer cost estimates and to put the projects to bid.

For the Bel Air Street reconstruction, staff said the work would include full street reconstruction, sanitary-sewer replacement and installation of select storm-sewer intakes along Bel Air and Park Lane. The engineer’s estimate presented at the hearing was $1,164,335; council members noted that earlier budget figures had been around $1.8 million. Staff said bids are due on the 28th and the council expects to consider contract award on May 7.

On the South 10th Street mill-and-overlay project, staff described ADA sidewalk replacement, full-depth patching and curb replacement for South 10th Street between Tanya and Main Street. The engineer’s estimate was $503,147; bids for this project are scheduled the same day as the Bel Air project, with awards planned at the May 7 meeting.

Council discussed whether a local-contractor preference could be applied. Staff explained the city purchasing policy allows a small local preference (typically 2–3 percent) subject to a dollar cap and state law; grant-funded projects may limit that flexibility. Council members indicated they wanted local contractors considered where legal and financially feasible. Both resolutions were approved.