Lead Mine Road project comes in under budget

Board of Supervisors
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     As anticipated, there were a number of contractors who showed interest by bidding on the Lead Mine Road project, with quite competitive bids.

     While no action was taken to award the project to the lowest bidder, bids ranged from $763,230.56 up to $1,114,299.70. There were eight contractors who submitted bids, with the apparent low bidder being B&J Hauling & Excavating.

     The project involves grading of the roadway as well as the replacement of two structures and the installation of box culverts.

     The engineer’s estimate on this project was $892,820.

     “We’ve been getting tighter and tighter with our estimates,” said County Engineer Derek Snead.

     “We’re trying to be more realistic with our numbers,” added Assistant Engineer Todd Postel. “I’m impressed with the interest”

     Snead and Postel will take a week to review the bids submitted before a contract is awarded. However, Snead informed the Board of Supervisors at their Dec. 22 board meeting that the contractor will want to get started as soon as possible, despite a late start date of April 5, 2021.

     After the project is complete, all that will remain is signage and erosion control.

     “With river levels so low, culvert work and tree removal could start within the next 30 to 60 days,” Snead said.

     Postel said the trees have to be down before April 1 due to environmental concerns.

     The Engineer’s Office has also already been in contact with utility companies regarding relocating their lines along the Lead Mine Road corridor.

     “Some have already begun the preliminary work of relocating,” Postel said.

     The project is anticipated to be complete by mid-summer 2021.

     A pre-construction meeting has yet to be scheduled for property owners impacted by this project. Snead said all landowners would be notified.

In other county business:

     Tracey Achenbach with East Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund met with the board to requesting funding for Fiscal Year 2022.

     Last year, Jones County contributed $2,673 toward the initiative. This year, Achenbach is requesting $3,037.

     Achenbach said a total of $99,704 of the Housing Trust Fund money was spent in Jones County last fiscal year, assisting a total of seven households. The mission is to expand affordable housing options for residents in a four-county area, including Jones.

     Achenbach said the reason for the increase in the financial request is due to hope that the Governor will remove the funding cap.

     “It means we could get more money,” she said. “But that means more of a local match.”

     The Trust Fund was awarded new dollars in December, and Achenbach alluded to a potential project in the works in Anamosa.

     “Some of our funding is dedicated to low-income properties,” added Achenbach. “Though it’s been a struggle to get applications for rental assistance (programs).”

     • The board approved a revised Employer of Record contract with Cedar/Jones Early Childhood Iowa (ECI).

     • The board held a public hearing and approved a FY 2021 budget appropriation.

     The appropriation for the Wapsipinicon Trail Project fund was reduced by $300,000, which was added to the Conservation Capital Improvements-Special Purposes fund.

     County Auditor Janine Sulzner explained that phase two of the trail project is almost fully funded, and not all of funds would be used this fiscal year.

     A new fund was created for Conservation to allow them to use almost $500,000 for special projects at Central Park. Those funds stem from derecho insurance proceeds.

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