Award contract for the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC Communications and PLC Upgrades ProjectCity of Dubuque
City Council
ACTION ITEMS # 1.
Copyrighted
November 3, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Award contract for the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery
Center MCC Communications and PLC Upgrades Project
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council award of the
construction contract for the 2025 Water & Resource
Recovery Center MCC Communications and PLC Upgrades
project to The ESCO Group, of Marion, Iowa in the amount of
$2,360,000.00.
RESOLUTION Awarding contract for the 2025 Water &
Resource Recovery Center MCC Communication and PLC
Upgrades Project
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s)
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo
2. Staff Memo, Award Contract, WRRC Industrial Controls Project, 10-29-2025
3. Proceedings — Minutes, Resolution, Attestation Certificate
4. BID TAB, 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC Communications
5. Engineering Firm's Letter of Recommendation -Uploaded 11.3.25
Page 497 of 525
Dubuque
THE CITY OF
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Award contract for the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC
Communications and PLC Upgrades Project [Project No: 4381500017]
DATE: October 29, 2025
Water & Resource Recovery Center Director Deron Muehring is recommending City
Council award of the construction contract for the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery
Center MCC Communications and PLC Upgrades project to The ESCO Group, of
Marion, Iowa in the amount of $2,360,000.00.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
1�,A� k�4 S4-zn"
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Deron Muehring, Water & Resource Recovery Center Director
Page 498 of 525
THE CAII•Ameft
Dubuque
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City
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi
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TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Deron Muehring, Water & resource Recovery Center Director
SUBJECT: Award contract for the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC
Communications and PLC Upgrades Project [Project No: 4381500017]
DATE: October 29, 2025
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request award of the construction contract for the
2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC Communications and PLC Upgrades project
(Project) to The ESCO Group, of Marion, Iowa in the amount of $2,360,000.00.
BACKGROUND
The Water & Resource Recovery Center (WRRC) is a critical part of Dubuque's public
infrastructure, providing wastewater treatment services for residential, commercial, and
industrial users throughout the region. The facility underwent a major upgrade in 2013, which
included the installation of automated control systems that act as the `brains' of the WRRC
across multiple buildings, telling treatment equipment when to turn on, off, or adjust, while
also monitoring overall performance.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the WRRC's control equipment began to face
unexpected challenges. Global supply chain disruptions caused manufacturers to shift their
limited resources away from supporting older equipment models into their new product lines.
As a result, many electrical components that would typically remain supported for 20 years
or more were prematurely discontinued. This has made it increasingly difficult, and in some
cases impossible, to find replacement parts for key control systems. To address this issue,
a multi -phase capital improvement project was developed to modernize the WRRC's control
systems.
Funding for the Industrial Controls Upgrade project [4381500017] was approved by the City
Council as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. The total project cost was originally
estimated to be $3 million and was to be funded over three years through a combination of
Sanitary Sewer Construction Funds and State Revolving Fund loans.
The Industrial Controls Upgrade project will be implemented in multiple phases to ensure
continuity of operations and minimize disruption to critical treatment processes. Each phase
will target a subset of buildings, allowing for a controlled transition to modern control
infrastructure while maintaining full facility functionality.
Page 499 of 525
Phase I, the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC Communications and PLC
Upgrades (Project), will focus on Building 10 (Headworks) and Building 75 (Solids
Handling). These buildings were prioritized due to the complexity of their control systems,
and the critical nature of their processes. Notably, Building 75 contains the largest number
of electrical control components at the WRRC. Replacing this equipment early addresses a
high -priority area and also creates an opportunity to salvage the functional legacy
components which can be used in the event of electrical control failure in other buildings
before their scheduled upgrades.
The explosion that occurred in Building 75 in early December 2024, caused significant
damage to a portion of the Building 75 motor control center (MCC) which houses the
building's electrical control systems. Following the December 2024 explosion, the City
worked with engineering consultant Strand Associates to assess the full extent of the
damage and determine how it would affect the broader electrical and process systems in
the building. One of the modifications that came about was to shift the Building 75 MCC
eastward into the former operator control room which was damaged by the explosion. The
December 2024 event is a covered cause of loss under the City's insurance policy. The total
cost of the loss is currently estimated at between $3 million and $4 million. Of that amount,
approximately $966,000 is associated with the cost to replace the damaged portion of the
electrical controls in Building 75. The work to replace the damaged electrical controls in the
Building 75 MCC will be accomplished as part of the 2025 WRRC MCC Communications
and PLC Upgrades Project. These expenses are to be funded through insurance proceeds,
which are to be reflected in the Fiscal Year 2026 CIP Budget as part of Fiscal Year 2026
Budget Amendment.
In September 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution 303-25, authorizing the public
bidding process and setting a public hearing on the plans, specifications, form of contract,
and estimated cost for the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC Communications
and PLC Upgrades project.
In October of 2025, the City Council held a public hearing on the Project, adopting Resolution
326-25 approving the plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the
Project.
DISCUSSION
Sealed bids for the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC Communications and
PLC Upgrades project were received and publicly opened on October 23, 2025. The ESCO
Group of Marion, Iowa submitted the apparent low bid in the amount of $2,360,000.00.
A summary of the bid proposals received is as follows:
Contractor Name
Lump Sum Bid Amount
The ESCO Group
$2,360,000.00
Portzen Construction, Inc.
$3,032,920.00
Tri-CityElectric Company of Iowa
$4,435,200.00
2
Page 500 of 525
The lump sum bid of $2,360,000.00 is 20% below the engineer's estimate of $2,950,000.00.
The project construction work will span nearly two years from bid opening to final
acceptance. After the contract award, the contractor will prepare and submit shop drawings
for engineer review. Once approved, the contractor will order the electrical control equipment
which has a long lead time. Delivery of the electrical control components is not expected
until late 2026, with installation, testing, and commissioning continuing into mid-2027.
The estimate of probable and awarded construction cost for the construction project are
summarized as follows:
Description
Cost Estimate
Award
Engineering Design
$110,000
$110,000
Construction Contract
$2,950,000
$2,360,000
Contingency (5%)
$147,500
$147,500
Administration and Construction Engineering
$105,000
$105,000
Total Construction Cost
$3,212,500
$2,722,500
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend the City Council awarding the construction conduct for the 2025 Water &
Resource Recovery Center MCC Communications and PLC Upgrades project to The ESCO
Group in the amount of $2,360,000.00.
BUDGETIMPACT
The funding plan for the Project is as follows:
Project No.
Fiscal Year
Fund Description
Fund Amount
4381500017
2025
Sanitary Sewer Fund
$350,000
4381500017
2025
SRF Loan
$750,000
4381500017
2027
Sanitary Sewer Fund
$849,700
4381500019
2026
Insurance Proceeds
$772,800
Total Project Funding
$2,722,500
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I respectfully request that the City Council award the construction contract the 2025 Water
& Resource Recovery Center MCC Communications and PLC Upgrades project to The
ESCO Group in the amount of $2,360,000.00.
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Tony Brietbach, Purchasing and Risk Manager
Willie O'Brien, WRRC Plant Manager
3
Page 501 of 525
DO R S EY
DORSEY+WHITNEY LLP
October 27, 2025
VIA EMAIL
Jenny Larson
Chief Financial Officer
Dubuque, Iowa
Re: 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC Communication and PLC Upgrades Project
Our File No. 430411-22
Dear Jenny:
We have prepared and attach proceedings related to the consideration of bids and award of a
construction contract for the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC Communication and PLC Upgrades
Project.
The materials attached include the following items:
1. Minutes of the November 3, 2025, City Council meeting reflecting consideration of the
construction bids received for the Project, followed by the resolution awarding the contract and fixing the amount
of the performance and/or payment bonds. This resolution also authorizes the execution of the contract, subject
to the receipt of the performance and payment bonds and a written determination by the Project Engineers that
such bonds and other contract documents are satisfactory.
2. Attestation Certificate with respect to the validity of the transcript.
As these proceedings are completed, please return one fully executed copy to our office.
If you have any questions, please contact Emily Hammond or me.
Best regards,
David D. Grossklaus
John P. Danos
Attachments
cc: Deron Muehring
Crenna Brumwell
Adrienne Breitfelder
Strand Associates, Inc.
8oi Grand Avenue I Suite 4i00 I Des Moines, IA 150309-8002 IT 53-5.283.3-000 I dorsey.com
Page 502 of 525
Dubuque; 430411-22 / Letting (Cons/Award)
MINUTES OF MEETING TO FURTHER
CONSIDER BIDS
CONTRACT
430411-22(L)
Dubuque, Iowa
November 3, 2025
AND AWARD
The City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa, met on November 3, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.,
at the Historic Federal Building, 350 W. 6th St, Second Floor Council Chambers, in the City,
pursuant to posted notice. The Mayor presided and the roll was called showing the following
members of the Council present and absent:
Present: &vo^ (- vmaoh. CoLoc,l Mc(roe(3
Spro,,lK, l `4al
Absent:
• • Other Business- -
MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION
Council Member To ✓1PS introduced the resolution next hereinafter set
out, and moved that the said resolution be adopted; seconded by Council Member
w4a)
The Mayor announced that bids for the construction of the 2025 Water & Resource
Recovery Center MCC Communication and PLC Upgrades Project had been received before 2:00
p.m., on October 23, 2025, in the office of the City Clerk, City Hall -First Floor, 50 West 131h St,
Dubuque, Iowa, and that on the same day, at the same time, in the City Hall -Conference Room A,
50 West 13th St, in the City, such bids had been opened and read, and this was the time and place
set for the consideration of such bids.
Thereupon, the results of the bidding were reported, and Strand Associates, Inc. (the
"Project Engineers") made their recommendations thereon to the City Council. The bids received
for the construction of the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC Communication and
PLC Upgrades Project are as follows:
Name and Address of Bidder
Amount of Bid
(List here or attach a sheet listing proposals received.)
-1-
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP, ATTORNEYS, DES MOINES, IOWA
CITY OF DUBUQUE
BID DATE: October 23, 2025
BID TABULATION FOR:
2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC Communications and PLC Upgrades Project
ITEM
Lump Sum Bid
% OVER / UNDER (-)
ESTIMATE
$2,950,000.00
0.0%
BIDDER
The ESCO Group
BID
$2,360,000.00
-20.0%
BIDDER
Portzen Construction
BID
$3,032,920.00
2.8%
BIDDER:
Tri-City Electric
Company of Iowa
BID
$4,435,200.00
50.3%
Page 508 of 525
Dubuque / 430411-22 / Letting (Cons/Award)
After due consideration thereof by the City Council, the Mayor put the question upon the
motion and the roll being called, the following named Coounci�l Members voted:
Ayes: Rcsn-,ck 1,�dkd, Frbcr, Sp,r6nK' (/LAVCOC\gi, R.-usscll J oncs
Nays:
Whereupon, the Mayor declared the said motion duly carried and the said resolution duly
adopted.
-2-
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP, ATTORNEYS, DES MOINES, IOWA
Dubuque / 430411-22 / Letting (Cons/Award)
RESOLUTION NO. 360-25
Resolution awarding contract for the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center
MCC Communication and PLC Upgrades Project
WHEREAS, pursuant to notice duly posted in the manner and form prescribed by
resolution of the City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa, and as required by law, bids and
proposals were received by this Council for the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC
Communication and PLC Upgrades Project (the "Project"); and
WHEREAS, all of the said bids and proposals have been carefully considered, and it is
necessary and advisable that provision be made for the award of the contract for the Project;
NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved by the City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa,
as follows:
Section 1. The bid for the Project submitted by the following contractor is fully
responsive to the plans and specifications for the Project, is heretofore approved by the City
Council, and is the lowest responsible bid received, such bid being as follows:
Name and Address of Contractor Amount of Bid
The ESCO Group $ 2,360,000.00
3450 Third Street
Marion, IA 52302
Section 2. The contract for the Project is hereby awarded to such contractor at the total
estimated cost set out above, the final settlement to be made on the basis of the unit prices therein
set out and the actual final quantities of each class of materials furnished, the said contract to be
subject to the terms of the aforementioned resolution, the notice of hearing and letting, the plans
and specifications and the terms of the bidder's written proposal.
Section 3. The Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized and ordered to enter into
a written contract with said contractor for the Project, but only after the contractor submits the
performance and/or payment bonds which are required by the contract documents, and after the
Project Engineers submit a written determination that such surety bonds and the other contract
documents are satisfactory. No additional City Council action shall be required to approve the
executed contract or surety bonds.
Section 4. The amount of the contractor's performance and/or payment bonds is
hereby fixed and determined to be 100% of the amount of the contract.
-3-
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP, ATTORNEYS, DES MOINES, IOWA
Dubuque / 43041 1-22 / Letting (Cons/Award)
Section 5. All resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby
repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Passed and approved November 3, 2025.
ayor
Attest:
City Clerk
• • Other Business- -
On motion and vote, the meeting adjourned.
Ma or
Attest:
0'54�a�'- &)�i4
City Clerk v
-4-
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP, ATTORNEYS, DES MOINES, IOWA
Dubuque / 430411-22 / Letting (Cons/Award)
ATTESTATION CERTIFICATE:
STATE OF IOWA
DUBUQUE COUNTY SS:
CITY OF DUBUQUE
I, the undersigned, City Clerk of the City of Dubuque, Iowa, hereby certify that the attached
is a true, correct and complete transcript of the proceedings had and action taken by the City
Council up to the present time in connection with the 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center
MCC Communication and PLC Upgrades Project, including a true, correct and complete copy of
the resolution referred to in such minutes.
WITNESS MY HAND this day of N00.4e-r 32025.
City Clerk
-5-
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP, ATTORNEYS, DES MOINES, IOWA
6 : A mil
STRAND
ASSOCIATES®
Excellence in Engineeringsm
Strand Associates, Inc.®
910 West Wingra Drive
Madison, WI 53715
(P) 608.251.4843
www.strand.com
November 3, 2025
Mr. Deron Muehring
City of Dubuque Water and Resource Recovery Center
795 Julien Dubuque Drive
Dubuque, IA 52003
Re: 2025 Water and Resource Recover Center MCC Communication and PLC Upgrades Project
IDNR SRF File CS192117101
DNR Project #2025-0150A
City of Dubuque, Iowa
Dear Mr. Muehring:
Bids for the above -referenced Project were opened on October 23, 2025. Three Bids were received with
the resulting Bid tabulation enclosed. The low Bid of $2,360,000 was less than ENGINEER's opinion of
probable construction cost.
The ESCO Group of Marion, Iowa, was the apparent low Bidder at $2,360,000. The Bid included a Bid
Bond for 10 percent and Addendum Nos. 1 and 2 were acknowledged. The Bid is deemed to be
responsive.
Strand Associates, Inc.' has previously worked with The ESCO Group on projects for the City of
Cedar Rapids, Iowa. For those projects, the owner determined The ESCO Group to be responsible.
If you determine that The ESCO Group is a responsible Bidder after your evaluation of their
qualifications, we recommend proceeding with award of the Contract in accordance with Article 19 of
the Instructions to Bidders.
Sincerely,
STRAND ASSOCIATES, INC.®
Ob�sl
David D. Gohdes
Enclosure
1154.124\DDG:led\\stmnd.com\dlcorpdata\MAD\Documents\Specifications\Archive\2025\Dubugoe, City of(IA)\I154.124.CS192117101.DDG\(16) Specification Letters\(a) Resulting Bid Tabulation\110325.do
Arizona I Illinois I Indiana I Iowa I Kentucky I Ohio I Tennessee I Texas I Wisconsin
Page 509 of 525
CITY OF DUBUQUE
BID DATE: October 23, 2025
BID TABULATION FOR:
2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC Communications and PLC Upgrades Project
ITEM
Lump Sum Bid
% OVER / UNDER (-)
ESTIMATE
$2,950,000.00
0.0%
BIDDER
The ESCO Group
BID
$2,360,000.00
-20.0%
BIDDER
Portzen Construction
BID
$3,032,920.00
2.8%
BIDDER:
Tri-City Electric
Company of Iowa
BID
$4,435,200.00
50.3%
Page 510 of 525
December 23, 2025
Iowa Finance Authority
1963 Bell Avenue, Suite 200
Des Moines, Iowa 50315
DORSEY
DORSEY+WHITNEY LLP
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
6200 Park Ave Ste 200
Des Moines, Iowa 50321
RE: 2025 Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC Communication and PLC Upgrades Project
City of Dubuque, Iowa
Our File No. 430411-22
To Whom It May Concern:
We have reviewed certified copies of acts and proceedings (the "Proceedings") taken by the
City Council (the "Council") of the City of Dubuque, Iowa (the "Participant") in relation to the
letting of the construction contract identified on Exhibit A (the "Contract") for the Participant's 2025
Water & Resource Recovery Center MCC Communication and PLC Upgrades Project and described
more fully in the Proceedings (collectively the "Project") to be financed by the Iowa State Revolving
Fund Loan Program (the "Program").
Based on our review of the Proceedings, it is our opinion that:
1. The Participant is a municipal corporation established under the laws of the State of
Iowa. The Contract has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Participant
and, assuming due authorization and execution by the other parties thereto, constitutes a
valid, legal and binding obligation of the Participant in accordance with its terms.
2. The Proceedings and Contract are in compliance with Chapters 26 and 573 (as
applicable) of the Code of Iowa, as amended.
3. There is no action, suit or proceeding (at law or in equity) pending before or by any court,
public board or body, or, to the best of our knowledge and information, threatened
against or affecting the Participant, challenging the validity of the Contract, seeking to
enjoin any of the transactions contemplated thereby or the performance by the Participant
of any of its obligations thereunder, or wherein an unfavorable decision, finding or ruling
would adversely affect the transactions contemplated by the Contract.
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP
cc: City of Dubuque, Iowa
8oi Grand Avenue I Suite 4100 1 Des Moines, IA 15o3og-8002 I T 515.283.10001 dorsey.conn
EXHIBIT A
CONTRACT LIST
Contractor
The ESCO Group
Marion, IA
Amount
$2,360,000.00