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The Austin City Council will be voting to award bids for various projects during its next regular meeting.

According to a memorandum sent to the council by Assistant City Engineer Mitch Weenum, the city received two bids for the Turtle Creek Trail construction project, which will be a pedestrian/bike trail that will run from the intersection of Fourth Street and 16th Avenue Southwest along Turtle Creek to Bustad Park.

The city received bids of $215,090 from Hansen Hauling & Excavating, Inc. and $290,372.50 from Rochester Sand & Gravel. Weenum has recommended awarding the bid to Hansen Hauling & Excavating, Inc.

The project will be funded from the Capital Improvement Fund, a Hormel Foundation Grant and a DNR Grant.

In another memorandum, Weenum said the city has received two bids for asphalt street reconstruction for Fifth Avenue Northeast, Fifth Street Southwest, Sixth Avenue, Southwest, Seventh Street Southwest, Seventh Street Northwest and Ninth Avenue Northwest. The work will consist of pavement removal, sanitary sewer and storm sewer improvements, asphalt paving and sidewalk replacement.

The city received bids of $3,089,655.50 from Ulland Brothers, Inc. and $3,878,857 from Elcor Construction, Inc. Weenum has recommended awarding the bid to Ulland Brothers, Inc.

The project will be funded by the Capital Improvement Fund, Waste Water Treatment Plant Fund and Stormwater Utility Fund.

City Engineer Steven Lang informed the council the city has also received bids for sanitary sewer construction in the Turtle Creek 2 neighborhood on Oakland Avenue West at 36th, 37th and 40th Streets. The work would involve constructing a sanitary sewer collection system to service 40 homes with a combination of a gravity and low-pressure system. It also includes construction of a lift station at Oakland Avenue West and 40th Street.

The city received bids of $1,171,227.45 from Elcor Construction, Inc., $2,142,6907.51 from R&R Excavating, Inc., and $2,297,370 from Hodgeman Drainage Company, Inc. Lang recommended awarding the bid to Elcor Construction, Inc. contingent on the completion of a Point Source Implementation Grant, which will be used to help fund the project along with funds from the Waste Water Treatment Plant.

The council will also hear an update on the COVID-19 situation and how it affects city employees during the meeting.

Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Nelson will discuss the possibility of allowing city parks and play areas to be open, as opposed to closing them as other municipalities have done in response to COVID-19, during the council’s work session.

Nelson said he has received requests from the general public and some council members to allow them to remain open and will request the council consider adding it to a future meeting agenda.

Nelson will also discuss the possible addition of several Hormel land parcels to the 2020 Austin City Archery Deer Hunt. Hormel has expressed interest in partnering with the city in opening a yet-to-be-determined number of land parcels within the city for the hunt.

The council’s next regular meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 6, in the City Council Chambers at City Hall; however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several council members will be participating remotely and City Hall is closed to the general public. Those that wish to view the council meeting may do so starting at 5:30 p.m. on Charter Channel 180. Anyone not able to do so, or anyone wishing to address the council, should contact City Clerk Ann Kasel at 507-437-9943 to make arrangements in advance.

For a complete agenda, visit www.ci.austin.mn.us/city-council.