Village Might Use Four Engineering Firms to Address Sewer Woes

The village might use four engineering firms when it begins proposed sewer work.

Strand, Ruekert Mielke, Baxter and Woodman and Clark-Dietz engineering were approved Tuesday by the Village Board to be prequalified to do possible sewer work as part of the village’s solution to sewer woes.

“The action tonight is not guaranteeing any work to any firm,” Village Trustee Jeff Hanewall said.

Hanewall, Director of Public Works Leeann Butschlick and Village Manager Chris Swartz interviewed six of 10 possible firms and selected the four based on specialized skills.

In this case, when work is identified, the village doesn’t have to go through the process of making a request for qualifications or putting a contract up for bid, Hanewall explained.

“It makes sense to be using more than one engineering firm because of the amount of work needed to be done on storm and sanitary sewers,” Hanewall said.

Swartz noted the village wanted to select firms that would respect a small community, and had experience doing municipal engineering. 

The firms wouldn’t be just used for sewer work, but also other water works projects that might be needed, Swartz said.

In a presentation from former Bonestroo engineer Mustafa Emir where he announced that he had recently joined Clarke-Dietz, he said he would work with Swartz to coordinate the four firms.

Village President Guy Johnson said Bonestroo was not on the list of 10 because the firm doesn't have the expertise the village is looking for.

The village recently rolled out a new $71.5 million comprehensive plan focusing on combined sewers in the area, which would have work start in May and stretch several projects over 25 years.

The plan came after the area was saturated by rain last July that caused severe flooding and basement backups.