2025 Maintenance Dredging Project - Award Public Improvement ContractCity of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 12.
Copyrighted
August 4, 2025
ITEM TITLE: 2025 Maintenance Dredging Project - Award Public
Improvement Contract
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council award the Public
Improvement Construction Contract for the 2025
Maintenance Dredging Project to Newt Marine Service in the
base bid amount of $211,455.50 and concurrence in
selecting both Alternate No. 1 and Alternate No. 2 in the
amount of $26,930.00 for a total contract award of
$238,385.50, through adoption of the attached resolution,
subject to the concurrence of the Iowa Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) and United States Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS).
RESOLUTION Awarding Public Improvement Construction
Contract for the 2025 Maintenance Dredging Project
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s)
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo
2. 2025 Maintenance Dredging Project - Council Staff Award MEMO
3. 2025 Maintenance Dredging Project - Council Award RESOLUTION
4. 2025 Maintenance Dredging Project - Bid Tabulation
Page 1007 of 1311
Dubuque
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: 2025 Maintenance Dredging Project
Award Public Improvement Contract
Project Number: 5546000001-304-67990 - Harbor Area Dredging
DATE: July 29, 2025
Assistant City Engineer Robert Schiesl is recommending City Council award the Public
Improvement Construction Contract for the 2025 Maintenance Dredging Project to Newt
Marine Service in the base bid amount of $211,455.50 and concurrence in selecting
both Alternate No. 1 and Alternate No. 2 in the amount of $26,930.00 for a total contract
award of $238,385.50, through adoption of the attached resolution, subject to the
concurrence of the Iowa DNR and USFWS.
On September 5th, 2023, the City Council authorized, and staff submitted a Boating
Infrastructure Grant (BIG Tier 1) application to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and
Iowa Department of Natural Resources for dredging the marina to provide transient
boaters, and boaters who operate vessels 26 feet or larger, access to docking and safe
harbor facilities, including fueling, pump -out, bathroom and shower facilities, access to
clean water, electricity, and other utilities.
In July 2024, the City received the Notice of Award from the US Fish and Wildlife
Service and Iowa Department of Natural Resources for the Boating Infrastructure Tier 1
Grant, and the City Council authorized the execution of the grant agreement.
On July 7t", 2025, the City Council authorized the execution of a funding agreement
between the City and Dubuque Marina, Inc. for the partnership agreement for Dubuque
Marina to provide the required local match funding ($100,000) for the grant to perform
maintenance dredging at Dubuque Marina
The dredging project will provide adequate depth and an improved open waterway for
safely navigating transient vessels. By dredging and creating the open waterway from
the Peosta Channel to the marina transient docks, this will create improved water flow
and water circulation which will reduce the potential for future sediment siltation within
the proposed dredge location. The proposed dredged open waterway will be more
sustainable long-term and will maximize the return on the investment of federal grant
funding with a long-term solution in providing safe harbor access for daily and overnight
transient boaters.
Page 1008 of 1311
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
Nathan Steffen, Civil Engineer
2
Page 1009 of 1311
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TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
FROM: Robert Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
DATE: July 30, 2025
RE: 2025 Maintenance Dredging Project
Award Public Improvement Contract
Project Number: 5546000001-304-67990 - Harbor Area Dredging
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide the City Council with information related
to the recommendation for awarding the Public Improvement Construction Contract for
the 2025 Maintenance Dredging Project.
BACKGROUND
The Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act - BIG Tier 1 grant funding supports boating as
a popular recreational activity; there are approximately 11.8 million registered
recreational boats in the United States. Of this total, an estimated 584,000 are at least
26 feet long. The Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-178)
established the Boating Infrastructure Grants (BIG) Program (16 U.S.C. 777g-1) to
provide funding to the 50 States, for the construction, renovation, and maintenance of
boating infrastructure facilities for transient recreational vessels at least 26 feet long that
are operated, leased, rented, or chartered primarily for pleasure.
On September 5th, 2023, the City Council authorized, and staff submitted a Boating
Infrastructure Grant (BIG Tier 1) application to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and
Iowa Department of Natural Resources for dredging the marina to provide transient
boaters, and boaters who operate vessels 26 feet or larger, access to docking and safe
harbor facilities, including fueling, pump -out, bathroom and shower facilities, access to
clean water, electricity, and other utilities.
In July 2024, the City received the Notice of Award from the Iowa DNR / USFWS for the
BIG Tier 1 Grant, and per Resolution 307-24, the City Council authorized the execution
of the BIG Tier 1 Subrecipient Grant Agreement.
DUBUQUE MARINA FUNDING AGREEMENT
On July 7t", 2025, per Resolution 242-25, the City Council authorized the execution of a
Funding Agreement between the City and Dubuque Marina, Inc. for the partnership
agreement to provide the required local match funding ($100,000) for the 2024 BIG Tier
1 Grant to perform maintenance dredging at Dubuque Marina
Page 1010 of 1311
BIG TIER 1 GRANTS - DREDGING PLAN
The objective and scope of work for the 2025 Maintenance Dredging Project, utilizing
the 2024 BIG TIER 1 Grant funding that was awarded is to perform maintenance
dredging within the approximate area shown in Figure 1, to an approximate river bottom
elevation of 586.5-Ft., which will provide adequate depth for transient boats 26 feet in
length or greater and will create a safe open water for navigating vessels from the
Peosta Channel to and from the existing transient dock for fuel, water, and holding tank
pump -out.
LEGEND
Al 7.00 R-1 s<aye
ALI—
O' - V Deep ' I'
Y--3' Deep
IL
b
V 2022 BIG GRANT
DREDGE AREA ,
2024 BIG GRANT
i DREDGE AREA
Figure 1 - Dubuque Marina Area to be Dredged
2024 Maintenance Dredging
Project No. 1
2022 BIG Tier 1 Grant
Funding was used to perform
dredging within the area
outlined in RED, this project
was complete in 2024.
2025 Maintenance Dredging
Project
2024 BIG Tier 1 Grant
Funding to be used to perform
dredging within the area
outlined in GREEN.
The dredging project will provide adequate depth and an improved open waterway for
safely navigating transient vessels. By dredging and creating the open waterway from
the Peosta Channel to the marina transient docks, this will create improved water flow
and water circulation which will reduce the potential for future sediment siltation within
the proposed dredge location. The proposed dredged open waterway will be more
sustainable long-term and will maximize the return on the investment of federal BIG
funding with a long-term solution in providing safe harbor access for daily and overnight
transient boaters.
2
Page 1011 of 1311
BID RESULTS
The City received one (1) sealed bid on July 24, 2025, for the 2025 Maintenance
Dredging Project. Newt Marine Service, of Dubuque, IA submitted the only bid in the
base bid amount of $211,455.50, which is 4.32% over the base bid estimate of probable
cost. A summary of the bid proposal received is as follows:
Contractor Name
Base Bid
Alternate 1
Alternate 2
Total Bid
Newt Marine Service
$ 211,455.50
$ 20,000.00
$ 6,930.00
$ 238,385.50
The bid proposal for the project included two add alternates. The add alternates are as
follows:
Alternate No. 1 - contractor to remove and replace dock pipe pile spuds.
Remove of the dock pipe pile spuds will allow the T-dock section to be
temporarily removed to allow dredging to occur around and under the dock. Upon
completion of the dredging, Dubuque Marina intends to reconfigure the dock to
provide improved broadside boating access to the newly installed pump out
facilities on the dock.
Alternate No. 2 - contractor to dredge boat lift well.
Dredge the boat lift well area to provide transient boaters, who operate vessels
26 feet or larger the ability to have their vessels serviced and maintained as the
needs arise.
RECOMMENDATION
It is not a surprise that only one (1) bid was received. The Notice to Bidders for the 2025
Maintenance Dredging Project No. 1 was publicly advertised, on the City's website and
plan room services with statewide and regional circulation, with eight (8) dredging
contractors downloaded plans from the City's website. Historically, when the City bid
previous maintenance dredging projects, Newt Marine Service has been the only
contractor that submitted a bid proposal. Newt Marine Service is the only local marine
contractor that has the marine plant equipment and capabilities to complete the
mechanical dredging operations.
I recommend awarding the public improvement contract for the 2025 Maintenance
Dredging Project to Newt Marine Service in the base bid amount of $211,455.50 and
concurrence in selecting both Alternate No. 1 and Alternate No. 2 in the amount of
$26,930.00 for a total contract award in the amount of $238,385.50, subject to the
concurrence of the Iowa DNR and USFWS.
3
Page 1012 of 1311
BUDGETIMPACT
The estimate of probable cost for the 2025 Maintenance Dredging Project is
summarized in the following table:
Description
Cost Estimate
Award
Dredge Construction - Dubuque Marina
$ 202,700.00
$ 211,455.50
Alternate 1 — Remove and Replace Dock Spuds
18,000.00
20,000.00
Alternate 2 — Lift Well Dredging
14,400.00
6,930.00
Bid Award Amount
$ 235,100.00
$ 238,385.50
Contingency (Over Dredge Depth)
35,000.00
31,714.50
Total Construction Cost Estimate
$ 270,100.00
$ 270,100.00
The proposed project funding is summarized as follows:
Project Number
Fund Description
Fund Amount
5546000001-304-67990
Harbor Area Dredging (BIG TIER 1 Grant)
$ 170,100.00
Private Participation - Dubuque Marina
100,000.0
Total Project Funding
$ 270,100.00
The 2025 Maintenance Dredging Project included an estimated 5,000 cubic yards of
dredge material to be removed. However, based on the Newt Marine Service bid unit
cost of $38.50 per cubic yard for dredging, the City may need to adjust and reduce the
quantity of dredge material to be removed (4,500 cubic yards) to ensure there is
sufficient contingency funds available to cover over depth dredge quantities.
REQUESTED ACTION
I respectfully request that the City Council award the Public Improvement Construction
Contract for the 2025 Maintenance Dredging Project to Newt Marine Service in the base
bid amount of $211,455.50 and concurrence in selecting both Alternate No. 1 and
Alternate No. 2 in the amount of $26,930.00 for a total contract award of $238,385.50,
through adoption of the attached resolution, subject to the concurrence of the Iowa DNR
and USFWS.
cc: Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Nathan Steffen, Civil Engineer
George Scholten, Iowa DNR
Dubuque Marina
FAPROJECTS\DREDGING PROJECTS\2025 Maintenance Dredge\Council & Staff Documents\Award
0
Page 1013 of 1311
Prepared by Robert Schiesl City of Dubuque Engineering 50 W. 13" St. Dubuque IA 52001 (563)589-4270
Return to Adrienne N. Breitfelder City Clerk City of Dubuque, 50 W. 131h St. Dubuque, IA 52001 (563)589-4100
RESOLUTION NO. 260-25
AWARDING PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE 2025
MAINTENANCE DREDGING PROJECT
WHEREAS, sealed proposals have been submitted by contractors for the 2025
Maintenance Dredging Project, (the Project) pursuant to Resolution No. 250-25 and
Notice to Bidders published on the City of Dubuque, Iowa website and plan room service
with statewide circulation on the 15th day of July 2025; and
WHEREAS, said sealed proposal was opened and read on the 241h day of July
2025 and it has been determined that Newt Marine Service, of Dubuque, Iowa submitted
the low base bid in the amount of $211,455.50, Alternate No. 1 in the amount of
$20,000.00, and Alternate No. 2 in the amount of $6,930.00, for a total bid of $238,385.50,
and is the lowest responsive, responsible bidder for the Project.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
SECTION 1. That a Public Improvement Construction Contract for the Project is
hereby awarded to Newt Marine Service and the City Manager is hereby directed to
execute a Public Improvement Construction Contract on behalf of the City of Dubuque for
the Project, subject to the concurrence of the Iowa DNR and USFWS.
Passed, adopted, and approved this 4th day of August 2025.
Brad M.,E!!�a gh, Mayor
Attest:
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
City of Dubuque, Iowa
Bid Tabulation
Project Name: 2025 Maintenance Dredging Project
9LINE REFERENCE BID ITEM DESCRIPTION
NO. NUMBER
Bid Date
Engineer's Estimate
Newt Marine Service
25-Apr-24
PLAN
QUANTITY
UNIT
ESTIMATED
UNIT PRICE
TOTAL PRICE
BID
UNIT PRICE
TOTAL PRICE
Division 11020 - Mobilization
1 11020-108-A-0 Mobilization
1 LS $ 28,350.00 $ 28,350.00 $ 25,000.00 $ 25,000.00
Division 12 - Non-SUDAS Items
2 SIP 01100 Excavation - Mechanical Dredging 4843
% Over / Under (-)
CY $ 36.00 $
174,348.00
$ 38.50 $
186,455.50
Sub Total $
174,348.00
Sub Total $
186,455.50
Total Est. $
202,698.00
Total Bid $
211,455.50
4.32%
LINE
ITEM NUMBER NBID ITEM DESCRIPTION PLAN UNIT ESTIMATED TOTAL PRICE BID TOTAL PRICE
NO. QUANTITY UNIT PRICE UNIT PRICE
Alternate 1 - Dock Spuds
3 n/a Dock Spuds - Remove and Re -set
Alternate 2 - Lift Well Dredging
4 SIP 01100 Excavation - Mechanical Dredging
1 LS $ 18,000.00
$
18,000.00
$ 20,000.00
$
20,000.00
Sub Total
$
18,000.00
Sub Total
$
20,000.00
180 CY $ 80.00
$
14,400.00
$ 38.50
$
6,930.00
Sub Total
$
14,400.00
Sub Total
$
6,930.00
Total Bid Amount
$
202,698.00
$
211,455.50
Total Selected Alternate(s) Amount
$
32,400.00
$
26,930.00
Contract Award Amount:
$
235,098.00
$
238,385.50
Page 1015 of 1311