HomeMy WebLinkAboutA030 - Hearing on 13th and Grand Power Line Relocation projectITEM #:34
DATE:05-12-26
DEPT:ELEC
SUBJECT:13TH AND GRAND POWER LINE RELOCATION
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
The Public Works Department plans to widen the intersection of 13th Street and Grand
Avenue in the 2027 construction season. To allow the reconstruction to occur in a manner that
limits the disruption to traffic and property owners at this busy intersection, Public Works has
requested that public and private utility companies relocate their facilities that conflict with the
project during the 2026 construction season .
To accomplish the relocation of Ames Electric facilities, an outside contractor will be hired to
supply labor, equipment, and materials to relocate the power poles. P rivate communication
company attachments on the City's power poles will be relocated or buried at the individual
communication company's expense. The Electric Department has contracted with DGR
Engineering, Rock Rapids, IA to develop plans and specifications to relocate several power
poles for this upcoming project.
On March 24, 2026, City Council approved preliminary plans and specifications for the 13th &
Grand Power Pole Relocation project. An Invitation to Bid was advertised on the Current Bid
Opportunities section of the Purchasing webpage and a Legal Notice was published on the
websites of a contractor plan room service with statewide circulation. On April 29, 2026, four
bids were received as shown below.
BIDDER TOTAL COST
Engineer's Estimate $700,000
IES Commercial Inc.
Holdrege, NE $527,595.56
Michels Power, Inc.
Neenah, WI $567,410.41
Altitude Energy
Keenesburg, CO $670,000.00
Ward Electric Company, LLC
Longmont, CO
$1,327,918.21
Staff reviewed the bids and determined that the low bid from IES Commercial Inc, of
Holdrege, NE, is acceptable.
The FY 2026/27 Capital Improvements Plan contains $100,000 for this work in the Streetlight
and Line Relocations project. Previously, a sizeable balance of funding for this relocation work
had been accumulated and carried over, but this funding was dropped when it was not clear
when the project would occur.
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To address the shortfall in funding, Electric worked with Finance to move CIP funding around
during final budget amendments. Some of these projects were complete and had savings; a
couple project will be reprogramed, allowing for funds to be moved to the 13th and Grand
Power Line Relocation project: A list of the projects and available funding is included in the
table below.
Funding Source Revenues Expenses
2025/26 Streetlight & Line
Relocation CIP $ 36,000
2026/27 Streetlight & Line
Relocation CIP 100,000
EV Charging Stations 75,000
Street Light LED Retrofits 21,981
Electric Dist. Locker
Room 107,300
Electric Dist. Storage
Building 94,771
CT 1 Failure 80,684
Power Plant Fire
Protection 250,000
Engineering 36,000.00
Construction (this action) $ 527,595.56
TOTAL $ 765,736 $ 563,595.56
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve final plans and specification and award a contract to IES Commercial, Inc. of
Holdrege, NE, in the amount of $527,595.56.
2. Award this project to another bidder.
3. Do not proceed with the project at this time.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
For Public Works to begin the reconfiguration of the 13th Street and Grand
intersection, the Electric Department will need to move its electric infrastructure in the
vicinity. To meet Public Works' planned project schedule and avoid a delay in their 2027
construction window, Electric Services needs to accomplish its work in 2026. Therefore,
it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1, as
stated above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Ltr - Rec Award Const 419441.pdf
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DGR Engineering — 1302 South Union Street — P.O. Box 511 — Rock Rapids, IA 51246
phone: 712.472.2531 — fax: 712.472.2710 — dgr.com
P:\04\194\41\Doc\Specs\Construction\Ltr - Rec Award Const 419441.docx
May 4, 2026
City of Ames Electric Services Department
Attn: Lyndon Cook, P.E., Electrical Engineering Manager
Electrical Engineering Division
502 Carroll Avenue
Ames, IA 50010
RE: Recommendation of Award of Contract
15 kV Distribution Line Relocate – 13th Street and Grand Avenue
Bid No. 2026-091
DGR Project No. 419441
Dear Lyndon:
We have reviewed the bids received on April 29, 2026 for the above-referenced project. The bids
have been reviewed for mathematical accuracy and compliance with the bid specifications. Based
on this review, we offer the following recommendation.
A total of four (4) responsive bids were received, with bid prices ranging from $527,595.56 to
$1,327,918.21. The apparent low bid was submitted by IES Commercial, Inc. of Holdrege,
Nebraska, in the amount of $527,595.56.
IES Commercial, Inc. has successfully completed similar projects for our clients, and we are
familiar with their qualifications and prior performance. Based on our review and prior experience,
IES Commercial, Inc. is a responsible bidder and is qualified to perform the work. Therefore, we
recommend that the contract be awarded to IES Commercial, Inc. for a total contract price of
$527,595.56.
Please review our recommendation and feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
Best Regards,
DGR Engineering
Dennis Haselhoff, P.E.
Enclosure: Bid Summary and Tabulation
DJH:ste
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