Meeting in special session Monday evening, December 13, the Wellman City Council held a hearing on plans and specifications for the North Park Activities Complex and opened bids on the project.

There were no written or oral objections during the hearing.

Selzer Werderitsch, Iowa City, submitted the apparent low base bid of $720,000.

There were four other bidders including: First Commercial Construction Co., Burlington, $737,000; Garling Construction Co., Belle Plaine/Cedar Rapids, $743,400; Unzeitig Construction, Cedar Rapids, $732,300; and McComas-Lacima Construction, Iowa City, $789,000.

Architect Steve Rohrbach said the bids were within the scope of the project and reflect a good bidding climate.

“I’m very happy with the bids,” he stated.

Rohrbach stated that construction is slated to start in the spring as soon as weather permits and scheduled completion date is December 1, 2000.

Rohrbach also pointed out that the seven alternates were separated out so that if anyone or group could make donations to make those projects possible, but none are needed for performance of the building. They are extras that would help make the facility more attractive. They include gym equipment, liner panels, gymnasium air conditioning, clerestory windows/sunscreens, support areas carpet flooring, gym flooring allowance and ceramic tile in locker room.

The council instructed Rohrbach to review the bids and make a recommendation on whom to award the base bid and the seven alternate bids at the 7 p.m. meeting Monday, December 20.

See page 8A for a table of the alternate bids. The council has the option of accepting or rejecting any of the bids and alternates.

There is $785,000 in Wellman Area Foundation funds and city funds to finance the construction of the project. The Foundation has guaranteed $317,500 towards the construction and first year’s operating costs.

Work session

In a work session that followed, mayor elect Max Lewis informed the council (including three new members) that he wants to see a new city attorney in place by the January 3, 2000 meeting date.

City Clerk Donna Wade informed the three new council members—Jim Seward, Cindy Slaubaugh and Pat Curl-that they could take their oaths of office at the December 20 council meeting or come into her office any time before December 31.

Other items discussed on the work session were city code codification, budget FY2001, city council department and liaison appointments, general discussion, questions and information requests from new council members.