The Combined Lake Delhi Recreational Facility and Water Quality District
Board of Trustees Meeting
Monday, February 3, 2014 – 6:30 p.m.
Maquoketa Valley Middle School Conference Room
Delhi, IA
The meeting of the Combined Lake Delhi Recreational Facility and Water Quality District Board of Trustees was called to order by President Steve Leonard at 6:31 PM at the Maquoketa Valley Middle School Conference Room.
Trustees present: Leonard, Kramer, Davidson, Schneider, Burger, Gifford and Kray by Skype
Trustees absent:
Visitors: Chris Stender, Jim Locke, Dave Larson, Larry & Eve Peter, John & Pauletta Carbaugh, Pat & Don Dede, Wayne & Jenny Garvin, Wanda Davidson, Margie Schneider, Brian Monck, Doug Ernst, Amy & Clint Houdek, Mike Rooney, Randy Rattenborg, Duane Hogan, Mark Swift, Dick Recker, John Hess, Mary Kay Starks, Rod Starks, Mike Ott, Larry Aschbrenner, Annette Mohling, Ellen Wulfekuhle, Randy Wulfekuhle
Agenda reviewed by Leonard. Motion made by Davidson to approve agenda, Schneider second, all ayes, motion passed.
Leonard discussed consideration of approving the final bid package. He reviewed steps of where we have come and that the federal permit has been received and thanked all that were involved to get to this point. Pat Colgan advised the restoring of Lake Delhi will be completed in 2 phases and we will be considering Phase I this evening. Phase I includes the current concrete structure and all the activity to the north. Phase II will be the spillway and anything south. Leonard said he wanted to share the bidding time line and it is as follows:
Out for Bids – Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Pre Bid Conference, Delhi, IA – Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Last Day for Written Questions from Contractors – Friday, February 21, 2014
Bids Received at County Auditors Office – 1 pm, Monday, March 3, 2014
Bids Opened at District Trustee Meeting – 1:30 pm, Monday, March 3, 2014
Bids Evaluation by Stanley Complete – Thursday, March 10, 2014
Trustees Announce Successful Bidder – Thursday, March 10, 2014
Notice to Proceed (NTP) – Thursday, March 10, 2014
Burger suspended reading of the bid package and made a motion to approve the package for Phase I construction of Lake Delhi dam, Kramer second. Individual roll call requested, all ayes, motion passed.
Gifford made motion to release the final bid package for notice to bidders, Schneider second. Individual roll call requested, all ayes, motion passed.
Leonard explained in order for us to work in the flood plain, the county engineer needs a “Flood Plain Development permit”. Davidson made motion to authorize Leonard as President to sign the application, Kramer second. All ayes, motion passed.
Public comment
How many bidders will the package go out to. Colgan advised there is a lot of interest and the package will go out to several bidders in our state and in surrounding states. There will probably be about 8 bids that will be evaluated with contractors that have dam reconstruction specialties.
What is the estimated time table since we haven’t been able to work over the winter. Colgan said we originally planned on awarding the contract in late November but now he is glad we didn’t because we would have had multiple weather delays. By starting in March, we probably haven’t really lost anything. Leonard said that bids will go out and we plan to see the work started at the end of March/beginning of April. We still have to receive the permit for Phase II and we are working with DNR very closely. We would like to see the bid package for phase II go out in May and June. We still plan to complete construction this year but if we can’t finish, will have to finish in 2015 but the overall plan is to have water in 2015.
Doc Hess asked if we would delineate the difference between Phase I and Phase II and Leonard explained that Phase I is the old powerhouse and the north end of the dam and Phase II is the spillway and the south end of the dam.
Mary Kay Starks asked when we anticipate the DNR permit being received and when would we expect water. Leonard advised best case scenario is spring of 2015 if construction goes well – that is our goal.
Dave Larson asked when the coffer dam when will go in and Leonard said we will continue to share time lines but our best guess is the first of July.
Stender asked how long it takes before you receive a permit for sea wall work. Leonard said it takes about 2 weeks from the Corp and then the DNR takes about another week so he estimates about a month total. Second question is when coffer dam is built and water comes up – how high will it be. Colgan said it will be about 12-14 feet at the dam site.
Doc Hess asked why we are so confident about working with the DNR for the permit. Leonard said we have come a long way since the initial conversations with the DNR. The leadership of the Iowa House and Senate and the Governor are working in partnership with us so we have reason to be positive.
Aschbrenner asked who on the board read the full bid document for Phase I and Leonard said we have had the document since October of last year and have made some changes in the insurance section and such. We have read through the document as time has gone on.
Leonard said funding we have available for project is close to the cost estimate. The total cost of the dam and spillway is $15.3 million plus $350,000 for public access for a total of $15,650,000.
We recently signed the 28E agreement with Delaware County which solidified their $3m bond for the spillway construction and described how we will work together to create additional public access in the Turtle Creek area. The District transferred property to Delaware County and we will have a 50/50 share in creating an additional boat ramp, parking, restrooms and a beach in that area. In addition, the bridge will be a taller bridge and wider bridge to allow 2 boats at one time to pass under the bridge. Leonard said we should all thank the County Supervisors for their participation. He then reviewed the revenue we have available which is $3m from the Supervisors, $5m from the State and $6m from our bonding and $1.7m from the pledges. This total $15,700,000 comes to the same as the project total. This allows no funds for dredging, however, we know there are areas that need to be dredged. What we have raised so far is not enough funds for the full restoration of Lake Delhi. If you as a property owner were waiting for construction to begin before donating, now is the time to fulfill a pledge.
When can we ask for dock permits as the DNR said didn’t want to give us those until we knew when the water would be back. Leonard said we need to have conversations with the DNR to understand what the process will be. He wanted to make sure everyone understands hard tops will not be allowed and he believes the docks will need to be anchored.
Doc Hess asked if we will now have to take our docks out and Leonard said the law clearly states that Lake Delhi can have docks and lifts that remain in the lake.
The question was asked what the total cost of the public access was and Leonard advised it is approximately $700,000 and we are doing a 50/50 share not to exceed $350,000.
Burger motion to adjourn, Davidson second, all ayes, motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:12 pm.