MARSHALL – The city of Marshall will take a different approach to planned improvements to a key sewer lift station, after a construction bid exceeded estimated costs. Marshall Public Works Director Jason Anderson said city staff recommended breaking the project into smaller phases to try to keep them within budget.
The city planned to upgrade the lift station that collects wastewater from about one-third of Marshall and pumps it to the wastewater treatment plant. The lift station, located near Minnesota Highway 23, was built after the 1993 floods in Marshall.
Anderson said the city planned to replace the pumps at the lift station, do electrical work and make other improvements.
“We had an estimated project cost of $580,000,” Anderson said. However, when the city received a bid for the project, it came in at $996,000. “Based on this, and based on our budget and allowable funding for this project, we recommend that we reject the bid.” he said
Anderson said engineering firm Bolton & Menk recommended the city break the project into four smaller phases. That way, the city could start the ski lift station improvements and work to keep them within budget.
“That’s what we would recommend moving forward with, completing phases 1 and 2,” Anderson said. The first two phases recommended by Bolton & Menk would include purchasing and installing two pumps and making about $60,000 of other upgrades. After that, Anderson said, the city could re-evaluate the project and replace the other components at a later date.
“Are you going to rebid the phases?” asked Marshall City Administrator Sharon Hanson.
“We would comply with the city’s purchasing policy. It would not require a new bid in this case, but we would request a quote for the pumps and install them with our own staff. Electrical work would require estimates from an electrician.” Anderson said.
Marshall City Council members voted to reject the bid and move forward with the two recommended phases of the project.
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