Hwy 3 and 3rd street bid 59% over estimate
Bids were opened last Thursday on the Hwy 3 and 3rd street crossing project. The City engineer’s estimate for the project was about $400,000. City Administrator Nick Haggenmiller said, unfortunately, the sole bid came in at $681,000! That’s 59% over estimate. Staff has followed up with the bidder and consultant engineer. We’ve learned the cost overrun is split between all categories including street, utilities and landscaping. Specifically, staff is being told the project is small and requires a large volume of coordinating between subcontractors. They’re reviewing options to proceed with the project including waiting to go out for bids in the winter for spring construction or packaging with the Highway 3 overlay slated for early 2016 which includes similar improvements which will in theory get more competitive bids due to scale.
No bull, Faribo man charged with cattle rustling
It’s no bull, 41 year old Paul Seeman of Faribault can’t seem to stay out of trouble. Seeman was charged with 26 felonies including racketeering, perjury and receiving stolen property totaling over $222,000 in June of last year. He’s now accused of cattle rustling. Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn said he took and sold cattle that was not his, which qualifies as cattle rustling. {He was asked by a neighbor to allow the cattle on his land, when the neighbor went to get the cattle, they were no longer there.) Seeman filed a complaint against a number of Faribault police officers in April of last year, accusing them of harassment, taking away his rights, battery, emotional distress and more stemming from a barfight incident in 2012. That was settled last September for $5,000. City Attorney Paul Reuvers told the Faribault Daily the City paid nuisance money to avoid costs and save taxpayers money. The settlement was solely based on economics. There was no admission of liability.” Seeman has a date to face the judge on August 17th for the now 36 felonies involving the charges from June of last year. And now, cattle rustling…
Mitch focused on housing from cradle to grave
Michele “Mitch” Merxbauer ended her time with the City of Northfield last week. She started as the Housing Manager. We asked her her hopes for Northfield. She said her focus was the “continuum of housing” from birth to rental to starter hom to a bigger home then downsizing and finally to retirement. Mitch is going to Olmsted County as their Housing Director. That means Rochester and the expanding Mayo Clinic.
Spethman named Nlfd. Hosp. Dir. of Communications
A facebook post has Betsy Spethman, former Director of the local United Way, as the new Communications Director for Northfield Hospital and Clinics. She replaces now retired Scott Richardson.
Calling all artists…
The Arts and Culture Commission is accepting submissions for new artwork to be displayed at City Hall. Deadline is September 4th for display from September 18th through April 18th, 2016. All the artwork will be available for sale. Go to ci.northfield.mn.us for more details.
Click below to listen to FULL newscast:
Listen for news updates on-air at 6, 7, 8, Noon, 3 and 5
The post Today’s news update – Hwy 3 and 3rd street bid 59% over estimate; No bull, Faribo man charged with cattle rustling; Mitch focused on housing from cradle to grave; Spethman named Nfld. Hosp. Dir. of Communications; Calling all artists appeared first on KYMN Radio - Northfield, MN.