Monroe Board of Public Works Meeting - April 13, 2026
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Monroe Board of Public Works Meeting - April 13, 2026
The Monroe Board of Public Works met on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM in Council Chambers at 1110 18th Avenue. Present in person were Lynne Kleven, Tom Miller, Richard Thoman, and Matt Sheaffer. The board approved consent items, discussed a potential EV charging station lease, approved road material quotes, and recommended a contract award to the Common Council.
Consent Calendar
- The March 23, 2026 minutes were accepted as presented.
- A motion by Member Miller, seconded by Sheaffer, approved the Whitney Tree Service invoice for payment. The motion passed 4-0.
Discussion: EV Charging Station Lease in Downtown Parking Lot
- City Administrator Rindy proposed designating eight parking stalls for the Eugene Hotel along the alley side of the parking lot, with two of those stalls leased for EV charging stations. Note: The agenda identifies the lot as the "10th Street Parking Lot," while the transcript refers to the "11th Street parking lot."
- Tyler Soukup of Eugene Hotel and Baumgartners said the hotel would purchase and install Level 2 chargers (estimated at $13,000–$18,000) near a new transformer, with conduit installed while the alley is already being excavated. He noted the nearest fast chargers are about an hour away in Rockford, Dubuque, or Madison, and the chargers would be available to all EV drivers, not just hotel guests.
- Staff raised concerns about snow removal, enforcement against non-EV vehicles parking in charging stalls, and the loss of general parking spaces. Board members discussed long-term lease terms, potential revenue to the city, insurance requirements, and fire safety.
- Board members expressed general support for pursuing the lease further, with statements such as "I'm all for pursuing it in more detail" and "I would be in support of it." Consensus was to continue review, with insurance requirements and cost limitations to be verified.
Approval of Quotes for 2026 Road Maintenance and Construction Materials
- Director of Public Works Al Gerber recommended approving the low quotes from about 14 invited contractors. Low quotes were from Rock Road Companies (items 1, 2, and 6), Paddock Enterprises (items 3 and 4), and Roofer and Son (items 5 and 7), covering base courses, gravel, limestone chips, seal coating, and asphalt.
- A motion by Thoman, seconded by Kleven, to approve the quotes passed 4-0.
Recommendation for 13th Street and 31st Avenue Intersection Reconstruction
- Al Gerber reported that bids were opened March 30, 2026, with three bids ranging from $1,533,213.97 to $1,715,241.75. He recommended awarding the contract to Rock Road Companies, Inc. for $1,533,213.97, which was below the engineer's estimate and within the approximate $1.8 million budget.
- The roundabout is designed for 53-foot trailers; larger trucks may need to use the tapered curb areas. Land acquisition for the southeast corner is still being finalized. Construction is expected to begin in the first or second week of May, with completion before school starts in early August. No permanent signage is planned in the center due to breakaway safety requirements.
- A motion by Miller, seconded by Sheaffer, to approve and recommend the contract to the Common Council passed 4-0.
Key Outcomes
- Approved the Whitney Tree Service invoice (4-0).
- Approved low quotes for road maintenance and construction materials (4-0).
- Recommended award of the 13th Street/31st Avenue intersection reconstruction contract to Rock Road Companies, Inc. for $1,533,213.97 (4-0).
- Directed staff to continue evaluating the EV charging station lease, including insurance and cost verification.
Adjournment
- The board adjourned at 5:26 PM by a 4-0 vote.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, it's five o'clock. We'll call the board of public works meeting to order. Um call the rule, please. Alder Miller? Here. Alder Tolman here. Alder Cleveland. Here. And Alder Schaefer. Here. And we're all here. Okay. Corrections of minutes for March 23rd, 2026. None. So the stand approved is presented. Viewing of bills, Whitney Tree of Service. So in front of you is one invoice for $6,808. And it looks like for multiple trees that were removed from March 12th through March 20th. And it looks like one tree trimming at Rec Park. For a total of $7,083. I'll move for the approval. Second. Motion said approval. Say aye. Kirk clerk call roll, please. Alder Miller. Aye. Alder Tolman. I Alder Cleveland. Aye. And Alder Schaefer. Wooden Tree service will be getting paid. Thank you. This is administrator Rindy. And so included and kind of in the agenda packet is some uh guiding memo to the discussion. But um as kind of mentioned back last year, um, we did approve for um designating eight stalls along the alley side of the 11th street parking lot with the one behind you to the hotel for their visitors. Um so that would be that monthly rental agreement that would be developed for those. They've now also expressed an interest in um potentially leasing two stalls for EV charging stations. Um, and that could be part of those eight or otherwise, and so wanted to have some discussion with you in regards to the interest in um pursuing something like this, and if you have any concerns or direction as we do, um I've kind of outlined some of the factors that as the staff has kind of talked through it, things to maybe consider um with that uh to kind of make note is the the thoughts of if you do do something of this matter. I guess to start out when I I kind of did some of my research, I wasn't finding many municipalities that have done this. I've almost seen when I was finding examples, say leases and otherwise, it was almost in the reverse that the city was leasing property from somebody to put in EV charging stations versus the city leasing their property for a third party to put it in. Um, I think in the one example at least that I did provide too. I think the terms could still kind of be um acceptable and just in the reverse matter. Um thoughts that staff kind of talked about was obviously there could be some challenges with depending on the location with and being mindful of snow removal and kind of the liability if there's any damage during that process. Um then also if you're taking two stalls for the EV charging, um who there'd be some enforcement needed for if cars are parking and they're not using it for EV charging, and then also just the impact of of using up stalls dedicated to that use versus any general use. Um then kind of there was some discussion with staff of and they alluded to as well as if they ever wanted to expand beyond two. Is there a good area to do that or or within this area? So is that lot the the best lot or place to have this or not? Um was kind of a talking point that might be worthwhile to spending time on. Um then I guess if we do decide to go down that path, some of those terms, but I'll maybe kind of a pause there to to thoughts or questions to start.
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