Some bids come in lower than expected cost

The Albert Lea City Council has received 10 bids for the construction of Albert Lea Fire Department’s planned fire station.

The two lowest offers to construct the building were $8.06 million from Mohs Contracting in Owatonna and an $8.05 million bid from Faribault-based Met-Con Construction.

The Albert Lea City Council accepted project bids Monday night. The project bid could be awarded at the council’s Dec. 10 meeting.

The low bids on the building, expected to be built on Newton Avenue east of the Freeborn County Government Center, were lower than the engineer’s estimate of $8.1 million for construction.

The project contractor is expected to be decided after councilors evaluate possible project price reductions.

The eight other bids the city received for the project were:

• Rochon Corp.: $8.8 million

• Brennan Construction: 8.57 million

• Joseph Co.: $8.53 million

• Knutson Construction: $8.49 million

• Dean Snyder Construction: $8.44 million

• JD Driver: $8.37 million

• WEB Construction Inc.: $8.28 million

• Henckel Construction: $8.26 million

The city previously estimated the building could be occupied by late 2019.

After the meeting, 5th Ward Councilor Robert Rasmussen said he was “impressed” with the bid, noting the city could have a contractor for under $8 million once price adjustments are made.

“I’m really pleased with how the bids came in,” he said. “Very competitive.”

In other action, the council:

• Accepted a $3.04 million bid from Mankato-based firm Holtmeier Construction for Stables area improvements. The bid — the lowest of the two the city received — was still more than $300,000 more than the $2.68 million engineer’s estimate.

Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams said the cost discrepancy was caused by higher-than-expected mobilization, deep sewer and manhole structure bids.

County, city, state and Public Facilities Authority sewer and water grants will be used to fund the project. The Holtmeier bid is expected to be sent to the PFA to be reviewed for grant and loan funding.

A project bid was not awarded.

• Adopted a body-worn camera policy for the Albert Lea Police Department.

“The policy sets forth the objectives and guidelines governing the use of body-worn cameras and administering the data,” Adams said. “The body-worn cameras will capture evidence arising from police-citizen encounters in the course of official duties. Compliance with the guidelines is mandatory, and the supervisors shall monitor compliance with the policy.”

• Rescheduled a city council meeting from Dec. 24 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 20.

• Accepted a $1,000 donation for holiday lights.