Street repair work approved in Hartley

A Spirit Lake firm was awarded the contract for street repair work in Hartley.

Meeting on July 26, the city council accepted the bid of Beck Excavating for chip sealing South Central Avenue from the railroad tracks to 330th Street, and to patch various locations elsewhere in the city.

Blacktop Services submitted a bid of $50,910, while Beck submitted a bid of $52,214. According to Street Superintendent Rusty Howard, Beck had agreed to drop the mobilization fee for the project, which lowered their final total to $50,424.

Concern was expressed with the work Blacktop Services had done in recent years, so the council agreed to accept Beck Excavating's bid.

"The quality of work will be a little better," Howard said.

In other business, replacement of the water heater and dehumidifier at the wastewater treatment plant was approved. The existing equipment was damaged when the basement of the main building at the plant flooded in late June.

Waddell Heating & Air Conditioning was the low bidder at $4,950.

City Administrator Roxann Swanson said the equipment was not covered under the city's insurance. The loss will be submitted to FEMA for possible reimbursement.

Wastewater Operator Isaac Molendorp has completed the requirements for Grade II certification so the council approved a $1 per hour wage increase, effective Aug. 15. Molendorp must now complete the process for obtaining a Grade III certification, which is required by the Department of Natural Resources.