Council agreed to a $3-million tender for Phase 1 of the reconstruction project on 50 Street during a special council meeting April 2.
The meeting, called without notice to the public, was scheduled quickly to get work started as soon as possible, explained Helen Dietz, chief administrative officer.
“We could have waited another week to award it,” she said of waiting until the regularly scheduled council meeting April 10. “(But) it's crucial to get it started up this spring.” She said the project had already been approved by council and it was just a matter of awarding the tender to get construction started.
A special council meeting can be held with less than 24 hours' notice to all councillors and without notice to the public if at least two-thirds of the whole council agrees to this in writing. Councillors Jason Heistad, Brian Spiller, Tracey Walker, Derek Baird and Heather Taylor were in attendance.
Council chose AIC Construction for $2.7 million for the $3.4 million budgeted project. Approximately $2 million of the total is coming from water and wastewater reserves, the remainder is being funded from the town's municipal sustainability initiative (MSI) grant allocation, a request for decision explains.
Other costs include engineering and landscaping design and construction management services amounting to about $477,000 as well as $27,000 for the installation of traffic signals, light standards and electrical outlets to street trees.
The project is expected to start in May with a completed timeline between August 31 and September 15.
Project highlights include 10-foot wide sidewalks, displays, trees, planters, benches and light stands. Driving lanes will be narrowed to slow traffic, and the north leg of 53 Street will be closed to allow traffic to enter off 50 Street to use existing and additional parking stalls.
