Tomah City Council takes action to nail down steel price for ESB

The Tomah City Council is considering a request from Tomah Public Safety Director Tim Adler for approval of a bid package for steel purchase and down payment for steel, architectural and engineering services of $1,110,498 for the proposed emergency services building (ESB).

As part of the resolution, the steel bid was awarded to Olympic Builders of Holmen. Bids were opened Dec. 9 with the Olympic bid of $1,110,498.

The intent is to enter into an agreement to purchase steel at this stage rather than wait for a likely price increase in 2022.

The city is working with Keller Inc. on the project. The resolution would allow Keller to subcontract with Olympic Builders for a pre-engineered metal building bid and payment of Keller services to date in the amount of $150,000.

Kelly Clafin of Keller told the council that steel costs continue to escalate, having gone up $400,000 since the ESB first came into focus. With the steel price locked in, planning is more firm. An actual ground break date remains tentative at the site on Glendale Avenue softball field. But Clafin said the goal is to have the construction far enough along in 2022 the building would be enclosed for the winter season next (later in 2022). If everything falls into place, a tentative completion date for the project is June 2023. With rising costs, the estimate for the project now sits at $13 million.

The council approved a resolution to reverse action to approve the transfer of tax incremental district funds from (TID) 9 and 10, Donor TIDS, to TID 8 and then to the city of Tomah’s general fund (GF), water, and wastewater (sewer) funds to assist with the repayment of the city's internal loans to TID 8 for 2019 interest payable in 2020.

The resolution was passed in February. But during a financial statement audit it was discovered the transfer amounts in question were never made. Auditors determined action to reverse the original resolution.

The council approved quotes for installation of a surveillance camera system for city hall and the Tomah Police Department, with funds coming from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal funds. Tomah Police Chief Scott Holum said the department will proceed with Five-Star Telecom at a cost of $33,200 for installation that would provide video security of the interior and exterior of City Hall and the Tomah Police Department building.

The council approved the Tomah Area Ambulance Service contribution to the city's payroll clerk for a wages/benefit package. The city employee helps with the TAAS payroll each month. The TAAS commission has reviewed the request and is on board for a 20% contribution to be made and reviewed annually. The resolution passed by a 7-1 vote, with alderman Richard Yarrington casting the lone vote against.

The council approved stipend pay for Tomah Area Ambulance Service salary employees. Public Safety Director Tim Adler said this is being done already for hourly emergency staff. But the action now makes it available to salaried employees to be compensated for emergency calls. Adler said there are times when plans have to be changed, and workers incur time away from family. The action is no cost to city since TAAS is a self-funding service.