Caledonia Argus

City to construct pathway

Posted: 9/10/02

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

The Caledonia City Council voted Monday evening to spend nearly $130,000 to have a pedestrian walkway constructed on the east right of way of Highway 44/76.

Michael Davy of Davy Engineering presented the two bids for the work to the council on Monday evening. Bidders were Haugstad Construction of Lanesboro, who bid $86,906, and Bonanza Grain of Caledonia, who bid $94,306. With engineering, design, legal, contingencies and other assorted fees added to the low bid, the total cost grows to $126,921.

Davy told the council that project turned out to be more complicated than he had originally thought due to restrictions and requirements of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. MnDOT requires two permits, one for right of way and one for constriction, Also required of the city is a deposit to insure all specifications are met.

The council briefly discussed the possibility of not paving the pathway immediately, saving $15,000. When that idea was put into a motion, however, the motion failed.

Davy told the council that the pathway was designed to match up with existing blacktop, and to not pave the path would mean that it could be uneven in places where it meets the streets.

Mayor Robert Burns commented that despite the high cost, the project isnít a ìbudget buster.î The city recently received an insurance check for $156,000.

ìIt will be good for the kids,î he said.

Burns added that he has heard it mentioned on numerous occasions that the city should ìstep up to the plateî where the new school is concerned.

The councilís vote on the project was was 4-0, with Mayor Burns abstaining due to his employment with Mathy Construction, a firm that does black-topping.

The pathway will be 8 feet wide and will constructed from Main Street to Foltz Street on the east side of the highway. Nine 20-ft. street lights will be installed along the walkway. Construction may begin as soon as the proper permits are obtained, which is expected to be by the end of the week. The work is to be completed by October 31.

Included in the low bid is $55,287 for path construction; $16,619 for lighting and $15,000 for the asphalt surfacing.

Davy reminded the council that ìYou have to have a street for this to work,î referring to the yet-uncompleted Esch Drive. The city and school district are currently involved in eminent domain proceedings to obtain land from Ma Cal Developers to complete the street. Councilman Mark Schiltz reported to the council that the appraisal hearing is set for September 23, at which time the appraised value of the parcel will be deposited and work may begin.

Offer rejected

In other business, the council decided that it would not accept an offer of $337 from a person who destroyed a portion of fence surrounding the well site near Vista Drive. The total cost to repair the fence was $675.

Truth in Taxation hearing set

The city has set December 2 as the date for truth in taxation hearings, with December 10 as the continuation date.

At Monday nightís meeting, the council approved figures that will be submitted to the county auditor, The numbers are not accurate in that they reflect only ìnot to exceedî figures; the actual levy and proposed budget will likely be much lower barring any unforeseen circumstances.

The tax levy number to be submitted to the county is $361,921,an increase of 20 percent over last year. However, levy limits are in place which will reduce that amount.

The proposed general fund budget for 2003 is $1,743,236. The current general fund budget is $1,660.320.

Lodging tax discussed

The council agreed to invite a representative from Southeastern Minnesota Historic Bluff Country to a meeting to discuss the use of the lodging tax.

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