Hy-Tec Consruction of Brainerd won the bid for the rebuilding of the fairgrounds grandstand destroyed by the tornado in 2010 with a bid of $414,900.
The Wadena County Board of Commissioners made the decision after receiving a report on the three bids submitted for construction of the new grandstand, from Assistant County Engineer Jeff Adolphson.
The old grandstand was destroyed by the June 17, 2010, tornado, along with much of the rest of the fairgrounds infrastructure. Some of the buildings have already been replaced, while others are being planned and projects bid out.
County Engineer Ryan Odden has been the lead person for the county for most of the planning and liaison with the State of Minnesota Department of Homeland Security and with FEMA, while Commissioner Bill Stearns has dealt with insurance issues. After much discussion of optional cost alternatives included as part of the bid process, commissioners awarded the grandstand construction contract to Hy-Tec Construction, Brainerd, the low bidder at $439,000. The optional cost alternatives included several items that the commissioners decided to delete from the project. The final cost of the new grandstand will be $414,900. Funding comes from tornado damage reimbursement paid by insurance and FEMA, and from county insurance dividends.
Construction will begin soon. Snow was removed from the site recently, so that the ground could thaw. The project will be completed before the Wadena County Fair opens on June 26.
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Adolphson brought several other matters before the board. He asked for approval of an equipment purchase and the awarding of bids in two Highway Department projects for the current construction season.
The board approved the purchase of a rear-mounted walk and pack roller – a piece of road construction equipment that attaches to a motor grader and seals a new road surface as the surface is packed down by the weight of the equipment. The walk and pack roller will cost $30,790 and be purchased from Ziegler Cat of Fergus Falls, whose quote was lowest.
The board approved the awarding of a construction contract for the Mill and Overlay project on CSAH 8, and Overlay on CSAH 13, for $817,308, to Mark Sand and Gravel of Fergus Falls, the low bidder.
The board approved the awarding of a construction contract for a Precast Concrete Box Culvert on CR 157 over the Cat River, for $116,429, to Young Excavating, Hackensack, the low bidder.
County Auditor Judy Taves and auditor’s office employee Janet Kern told the board that expenses of maintaining and cleaning the former Sebeka American Legion building, which the county now owns through tax forfeiture, had exceeded $1,200. They requested that additional funds be provided by the board to pay the contractors and utilities that had provided services so far and to keep money in the county’s tax forfeited property account to pay expected future bills on this building. The money the county spends will likely be recouped when the building is sold.
The Sebeka Menahga Review Messenger recently reported that a potential buyer had approached the City of Sebeka about a possible use for the building. No offer was reported to have been made, however.
In other business, the board:
- approved liquor licenses for Wahoo Valley Bar and Grill and Twin Lakes Lodge and Resort.
- heard a report from Taves about administrative changes she suggested and updates on ongoing administrative projects including some new forms, changes to the commissioners’ board meeting web page, and budget meetings for 2014 budget planning.
- learned that the DNR will purchase a 160-acre property in Orton Township adjacent to the existing Wildlife Management Area. The property would be added to the WMA.
Article written by Rin Porter Special to the Pioneer Journal
