ImOn Ice Arena Dehumidification System Upgrade Project - Award Public Improvement ProjectCity of Dubuque
City Council
ACTION ITEMS # 1.
Copyrighted
March 3, 2025
ITEM TITLE: ImOn Ice Arena Dehumidification System Upgrade Project -
Award Public Improvement Project
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council award the public
improvement contract for the ImOn Ice Arena
Dehumidification System Upgrade Project to Giese Sheet
Metal Co, Inc. in the amount of $308,950.00, through
adoption of the attached resolution.
RESOLUTION Awarding Public Improvement Contract For
The ImOn Ice Arena Dehumidification System Upgrade
Project
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s)
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo
2. ImOn Ice Arena Dehumidification Project - Council Staff Award MEMO
3. ImOn Ice Arena Dehumidification Project - Council Staff Award RESOLUTION
4. ImOn Ice Arena Dehumidification Project - Bid Results Tabulation
Page 614 of 629
THE CITY OF
DUBE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: ImOn Ice Arena Dehumidification System Upgrade Project
Award Public Improvement Project
Project No. 2849900004
DATE: February 26, 2025
Dubuque
AI WIN av
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
Assistant City Engineer Robert Schiesl is recommending City Council award the public
improvement contract for the ImOn Ice Arena Dehumidification System Upgrade Project
to Giese Sheet Metal Co, Inc. in the amount of $308,950.00, through adoption of the
attached resolution.
The City received sealed bids on February 20, 2025, for the ImOn Ice Arena
Dehumidification System Upgrade Project. Giese Sheet Metal Co, Inc. submitted the
low bid in the amount of $308,950.00, which is 240.8% below the consultant's estimate.
A summary of the bid proposals received is as follows:
Contractor Name
Total
Bid Amount
Giese Sheet Metal Co, Inc.
308,950.00
Tricon General Construction, Inc.
343,000.00
Portzen Construction, Inc.
373,000.00
Upon reviewing the lump sum bids received, there was a $64,000 difference between
the low and high bid received. This reasonably tight difference in bids indicates that the
scope of work in the construction bid documents was clear and understandable to the
bidders, which resulted in the competitive bids received.
The Nelson-Rudie & Associates team included a subconsultant (RJM Construction) that
specializes in preparing preconstruction cost estimates for municipal, architectural,
mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) projects. The bids received were
significantly below the estimate of probable cost prepared by the consultant team.
Page 615 of 629
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Robert Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Marie Ware, Leisure Services Director
Jared Charland, PM Leisure Services
2
Page 616 of 629
THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Robert Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
SUBJECT: ImOn Ice Arena Dehumidification System Upgrade Project
Award Public Improvement Project
Project No. 2849900004
DATE: February 26, 2025
INTRODUCTION
Dubuque
2007*2012-2013
2017*2019
The attached resolution authorizes the award of the public improvement contract for the
ImOn Ice Arena Dehumidification System Upgrade Project.
BACKGROUND
The existing air conditioning HVAC for the arena consists of six individual rooftop unit
air handling systems which provide air conditioning to various parts of the offices and
front entry areas of the facility. The most critical climate control ventilation equipment
within the Ice Arena is the centralized Munters BRR dehumidification system located in
the refrigeration plant mechanical room that services the entire facility. The current
16,000 CFM Munters BRR dehumidification system is undersized and does not provide
the dehumidification that is needed for the facility during the summer months.
DISCUSSION
The City has retained Nelson-Rudie & Associates, Inc., to complete a feasibility study
and provide design services for the development of an originally contemplated project
for the installation of a new dehumidification system, a new arena HVAC and
emergency generator system at the Imon Ice Arena. As part of the initial feasibility
study, Nelson-Rudie evaluated the existing dehumidification system, ventilation
systems, and ice plant system of the arena.
As part of the mechanical systems assessment, in collaboration with Nelson-Rudie, the
City retained an independent 3rd party mechanical system Commissioning Agent to test
and recalibrate the existing dehumidification and ventilation systems to ensure the
systems are operating at optimal performance and efficiency.
Following the mechanical systems assessment, Nelson-Rudie observed that the
existing dehumidification system is operating as designed and has an estimated 10-15
years of service life remaining.
Based on historical seasonal operational performance data, Nelson-Rudie concluded
that the existing dehumidification system performs well during the winter months when
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Page 617 of 629
outside humidity and dew points are low. However, the unit is undersized and does not
have the capacity for proper ventilation of the arena space during warmer times of the
year when outdoor humidity and dew points are much higher.
Nelson-Rudie is recommending adding a new, secondary dehumidification system that
will provide 7,500 CFM of supplemental dehumidification and ventilation to the arena
space.
The ImOn Ice Arena Dehumidification System Upgrade Project will include the
installation of a new, secondary dehumidification unit on the lower roof of the southeast
side of the facility. The new dehumidification system will require structural support
modifications to the roof trusses; will include installation of circular fabric air dispersion
ductwork routed the length of the arena; new gas piping, new electrical pulls; and a new
automated control system that will control both the existing and the new
dehumidification systems. The new dehumidification equipment will be installed in a
location that would not be impacted by the installation of a potential future 2nd ice
sheet.
IMPROVEMENTS NOT RECOMMEND - AT THIS TIME
The City was initially planning to include and develop a larger scale project for the
design and installation of a new dehumidification system, a new air conditioning HVAC
and emergency generator system at the Imon Ice Arena. However, due to higher cost
projections that exceeded available budgeted funding, the scope of improvements had
to be reduced. There is insufficient funding available at this time to add the air
conditioning HVAC improvements or the emergency generator system as part of the
original contemplated project.
Staff are recommending that the prioritization of improvements to the arena include only
the dehumidification system as a Phase 1 project. The air conditioning HVAC and
emergency generator system could be budgeted in a future fiscal year or include with a
future potential 2nd ice sheet. The generator system could also then be sized to serve
both arena spaces.
BID RESULTS
The City received sealed bids on February 20, 2025 for the ImOn Ice Arena
Dehumidification System Upgrade Project. Giese Sheet Metal Co, Inc. of Dubuque,
Iowa submitted the low bid in the amount of $308,950.00, which is 240.8% below the
consultant's estimate. A summary of the bid proposals received is as follows:
Contractor Name
Total
Bid Amount
Giese Sheet Metal Co, Inc.
$ 308,950.00
Tricon General Construction, Inc.
$ 343,000.00
Portzen Construction, Inc.
$ 373,000.00
Page 2 of 4
Page 618 of 629
BID EVALUATION
Upon reviewing the lump sum bids received, there was a $64,000 difference between
the low and high bid received. This reasonably tight difference in bids indicates that the
scope of work in the construction bid documents was clear and understandable to the
bidders, which resulted in the competitive bids received.
The Nelson-Rudie & Associates team included a subconsultant (RJM Construction) that
specializes in preparing preconstruction cost estimates for municipal, architectural,
mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) projects. The bids received were
significantly below the estimate of probable cost prepared by the consultant team.
Nelson-Rudie and their cost subconsultant feel the following items contributed to the
unexpected lower bid prices received:
1. Dehumidification equipment costs rose dramatically during Covid as equipment
parts were difficult to obtain and lead times became dramatically longer. The
market is loosening up and the part supply market is nearly back to pre-Covid
levels. Equipment costs are returning to more competitive levels.
2. The electrical work required for the project ended up being much simpler than
anticipated. Instead of replacing the service as initially proposed, we were able to
utilize a circuit in the existing electrical panel board. This significantly reduced
electrical costs.
3. By locating the unit over one existing room we were able to minimize the work
inside the building. Ceiling replacement and roof joist reinforcement were all held
to one room minimize structural steel costs and ceiling replacement costs.
4. Utilized a dehumidification roof top unit screening system which bolts to the curb
of the dehumidification unit which provided significant cost savings.
5. The cost estimate for the new automated control system upgrade that will control
both the existing and the new dehumidification systems was high. Working
directly with the original automated controls contractor who is familiar with the
system and provided subcontractor bids for the project, helped significantly in
reducing the cost for the control system upgrade.
6. The placement location of the new dehumidification unit on the lower roof
eliminated the need to relocate existing roof drains and eliminated all internal
plumbing and associated roof modification costs.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend awarding the public improvement contract for the ImOn Ice Arena
Dehumidification System Upgrade Project to Geise Sheet Metal Co, Inc. in the amount
of $308,950.00.
Page 3 of 4
Page 619 of 629
BUDGETIMPACT
The estimate of probable cost for the ImOn Ice Arena Dehumidification System Upgrade
Project is summarized in the following table:
PROJECT COSTS
ESTIMATE
AWARD
Construction Contract - Dehumidification Upgrade
$ 1,053,000
$308,950
Contingency
47,000
47,000
Consultant Services Design - Nelson Rudie
112,640
112,640
Consultant Services Construction - Nelson Rudie
28,160
28,160
City Staff Services
25,000
25,000
Total Project Cost
$ 1,265,800
$521,750
The proposed funding for the project is summarized in the following table:
Project No.
Fund Description
Fund
Amount
2849900004
Ice Center Dehumidification
$ 521,750
Total Project Funding
$ 521,750
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
The City Council is requested to award the public improvement contract for the ImOn
Ice Arena Dehumidification System Upgrade Project to Giese Sheet Metal Co, Inc. in
the amount of $308,950.00, through adoption of the attached resolution.
Prepared by Robert Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
cc: Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Marie Ware, Leisure Services Director
Jared Charland, PM Leisure Services
Mark Plantery, ImOn Ice Arena Manager
Rob Korman, Q Director of Facilities
FAPROJECTS\ImOn (Mystique) Ice Arena\Dehumidification HVAC System\Council & Staff Documents\Award
Page 4 of 4
Page 620 of 629
Prepared by Kerry Bradley City of Dubuque Engineering 50 W. 13th St. Dubuque IA 52001 (563)589-4270
Return to Adrienne N. Breitfelder City Clerk City of Dubuque, 50 W. 13th St. Dubuque, IA 52001 (563)589-4100
RESOLUTION NO. 88-25
AWARDING PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT CONTRACT FOR THE IMON ICE ARENA
DEHUMIDIFICATION SYSTEM UPGRADE PROJECT
WHEREAS, sealed proposals have been submitted by contractors for the ImOn
Ice Arena Dehumidification System Upgrade Project, (the Project) pursuant to Resolution
No. 21-25 and Notice to Bidders published on the City of Dubuque, Iowa website and plan
room service with statewide circulation on the 24th day of January 2025; and
WHEREAS, said sealed proposals were opened and read on the 20th day of
February 2025 and it has been determined that Giese Sheet Metal Co, Inc. of Dubuque,
Iowa, in the bid amount of $308,950.00, is the lowest responsive, responsible bidder for
the Project.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
That a Public Improvement Contract for the Project is hereby awarded to Giese
Sheet Metal Co, Inc. and the City Manager is hereby directed to execute a Public
Improvement Contract on behalf of the City of Dubuque for the Project.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 3rd day of March 2025.
A,,,,ttes//t://9
Adrienne Breitfelder, CIVIC, City Clerk
rad M. Cav a , Mayor
THE CITY OF
DUB�QbE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
ImOn Ice Arena Dehumidification System Upgrade Project
Bid Results Tabulation
February 20, 2025
Bidder: Giese Sheet Metal Co, Inc. Lump Sum: $ 308,950
Bidder: Tricon General Construction, Inc. Lump Sum: $ 343,000
Bidder: Portzen Construction, Inc. Lump Sum: $ 373,000
Page 622 of 629