Ark Valley News - City improvements move forward

City improvements move forward
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: May 19, 2022

New houses. New roads. New infrastructure. Plus a new rec center and pool.

Valley Center continued its tear of improvement projects this week.

In a string of votes May 17, the city council set into motion several projects that have been in the discussion stages for several months. Dirt will soon be moving.

"This was the accumulation of so many items we have been working on for many years," City Administrator Brent Clark said after the council meeting.

To start with, the council accepted the low bid of $1,569,889.60 from Unruh Excavating to grade a regional detention basin in the Prairie Lakes subdivision. The council also approved a contract with Unruh and a contract with Professional Engineering Consultants for inspecting and testing of the grading project at a cost of $119,543.63.

The project will clear the way for the expansion of Prairie Lakes as well as the start of a new subdivision north of Prairie Lakes.

The city also is gearing up to reconstruct Ford Street (77th) from the Little Ditch to Broadway. It will be similar to the reconstruction of 85th.

The council this week accepted the low bid of $5,148,897.60 from Wildcat Construction for paving improvements and waterline infrastructure.

In a related vote, the council approved a contract with PEC for construction services and materials testing at a cost of $93,000 and a second contract with PEC to administer the construction and inspection of the waterline at a cost of $79,451.76.

The city also embarked on the design stages of the new recreation center and indoor aquatics facility. The council selected SJCF as the architectural and engineering firm and McCown Gordon as the construction manager. They were recommended by an oversight committee.

Meanwhile, infrastructure work is nearing the starting block for a couple of new subdivisions. Arbor Valley and Cedar Ridge will be located north of Ford (77th) and east of Seneca.

The council approved revised paving and waterline petitions for Arbor Valley this week.

In addition, the city started a project to get 20 acres of city-owned land south of Ford (77th) and west of Dexter ready for possible developers. The land was purchased several years ago for the city's stormwater drainage improvement project, earmarking a portion for future development.

"We don't have anything guaranteed," Clark said. "… Just making it as shovel-ready as possible."

The property could be used for commercial development or multi-family housing.

The council this week approved an agreement with SEH Inc. to produce documents that would guide the construction utilities and other infrastructure. Cost is $39,200. SEH is platting the property as well.

"It is for sale and we're accepting calls," Clark said.

To pay for it all, the council approved the issuance of temporary notes worth about $10.6 million. The notes will become long-term financed bonds when the projects are finished.

In other business May 17, the council:

•Approved a contract with Tyler Content to manage city documents electronically for a one-time cost of $5,450 and an annual fee of $5,661.

•Approved an agreement with SEH to review the wastewater treatment plant aeration basin system and recommend upgrades at a cost of $18,900.

•Approved an agreement between the recreation commission and the Valley Center Swim Club for use of the city pool this summer.

•Approved the purchase of a firetruck for $789,579 from Feld Fire. It will replace an engine that is 28 years old. It will be ready in 12 to 14 months.

•Approved a bid of $70,095 from Utility Maintenance Contractors to repair 750 feet of clay sewer line that runs in an alley between Clay and Allen and between Dexter and Colby. A liner will be placed inside the lines.

•Accepted two lots in the industrial park from Herb Rae.

•Approved alcohol waiver requests at the Valley Center Community Center for Vanessa Quandt and for Joann Schnittker.

Council member Dale Kerstetter was not at the meeting.