After putting a potential Elm Avenue reconstructive update to bid July 18, the Baltic City Council met last Tuesday to discuss the results of the request.

Rich Uckert of Banner Associates was on-hand to discuss the bid process, which yielded ones ranging from about $893,000 to $1.17 million on the high end.

“We had a lot of bidders and a lot of interest,” Uckert said, pointing out low bidder First Rate Excavate. “They want to start this year.”

The scope of the work includes installation of PVC gravity sewer pipe with sanitary sewer manholes, PVC water main pipe with 20 water service connections, storm sewer pipe with inlets and street reconstruction and resurfacing.

According to the advertised request, the city estimated the probable cost around $1 million.

If selected, Uckert said First Rate would be interested in moving forward with underground work – sewer, water, storm sewer – this year.

Councilor Ron Jenks raised concern with the low amount on First Rate’s bid. He said that the city should make sure the cost won’t creep up once the work has begun.

Uckert said that part of the bid’s low cost can be attributed to the assigned cost of imported top soil, which was $6 per yard on First Rate’s bid. The next lowest cost on another bid was $15 per yard.

The Banner rep also said that keeping possible adverse weather conditions in mind is important when getting a jump start in the fall. “We learned on Kringen (Avenue) you just can’t count on weather,” he said.

A construction meeting on the Elm Avenue project was tentatively set for mid-September, while mayor Mike Wendland said a property owner meeting would likely take place the same day at the Legion Hall.

“We’re trying to give everybody the best communication we can,” he said.

The council ultimately opted to award the bid to First Rate Excavate.