Middle Road Water Main Extension Project - Authorization to Solicit Consulting Engineering Design Services RFQCity of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 15.
Copyrighted
September 8, 2026
ITEM TITLE: Middle Road Water Main Extension Project - Authorization to
Solicit Consulting Engineering Design Services RFQ
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council authorize the
Water Department to release a request for qualifications
(RFQ) for design of the Middle Road Water Main Extension
Project.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo Middle Road Water Main Extension Project - Authorization to Solicit
Consulting Engineering Design Services RFQ
2. Staff Memo Middle Rd WME Authorize Design RFQ Memo
THE CITY OF
DUBE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Dubuque
AI WIN av
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
SUBJECT: Middle Road Water Main Extension Project - Authorization to Solicit Consulting
Engineering Design Services RFQ
DATE: September 1, 2026
Water Department Director Christopher Lester is recommending City Council authorize the
Water Department to release a request for qualifications (RFQ) for design of the Middle Road
Water Main Extension Project.
Budgeted Expenses for the Middle Road Water Main Extension Project are provided as follows:
CIP
Fund
Budgeted Expenses
Amount
FY2027
4281000083
WCF (from DICW TIF)
Consulting Engineer
(Design Phase
$600,000.00
4281000083
WCF (from DICW TIF)
Consulting Engineer
Construction Phase
$120,000.00
4281000083
WCF (from DICW TIF)
Construction
$1,280,000.00
Total FY27 Project Budgeted Expenses
$2,000,000.00
Proposed FY2028 Additions
4281000083
WCF (from DICW TIF)
Consulting Engineer
Construction Phase
$280,000.00
4281000083
WCF (from DICW TIF)
Construction
$2,120,000.00
Total FY28 Project Budgeted Expenses
$2,400,000.00
Total Project Budgeted Expenses (pending Future FY Budget
$4,400,000.00
Approvals)
concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval.
v
Mich el C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Christopher Lester, Water Department Director
Jennifer Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Laura Bendorf, Budget Manager
Max O'Brien, Assistant Public Works Director - Project Manager
Eldon Schneider, Water Project Supervisor
Carl Plumley, Water Distribution Supervisor
2
THE CF
DUIj---B E-E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Christopher Lester, Water Department Director
DATE: August 12, 2026
Dubuque
All -America City
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
SUBJECT: Middle Road Water Main Extension Project - Authorization to Solicit Consulting
Engineering Design Services RFQ
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request authorization from City Council to release a
request for qualifications (RFQ) for design of the Middle Road Water Main Extension Project.
BACKGROUND
This project provides for the extension of water main on the west end of the City to provide a
loop to the Dubuque Industrial Center West and to provide service to annexed areas west along
Middle Road.
The project addresses the City's responsibilities under two (2) Agreements. The first is a Pre -
Annexation Agreement between the City of Dubuque, Iowa and Aloysius P. and Theresa
Margaret Merkes (Merkes Agreement). The second is an annexation Agreement between the
City of Dubuque, Iowa and Certain Property Owners in Dubuque County, Iowa (Westside
Annexation Agreement). Screenshots of the applicable sections of each Agreement are
provided below.
As of July 2026, a developer is preparing for the final subdivision plat associated with the
Merkes Agreement. A preliminary subdivision plat has been submitted to the City for the
development of Parcel 3 for the Westside Annexation Agreement.
Preliminary hydraulic modeling showed that that in order to provide sufficient fire protection
water flows to the development covered under the Merkes Agreement, that either a booster
pump station near the development, or a connecting loop along Pennsylvania Avenue would be
required. The options were reviewed on a quantitive and qualitative basis and the loop water
main option was selected, primarily based on its ability to provide water resiliency to Dubuque
Industrial Center West and achieve the City's responsibilities associated with other water
service agreements in the area in a timely fashion. The two options were similarly estimated in
terms of capital cost.
Merkes Agreement screenshot:
9. City agrees that upon final approval of a final subdivision plat by the City
Council of the City of Dubuque for the Property Owners' Property and the
commencement of construction of the public improvements required by the resolution
approving such plat, City shall not later than twelve months after the commencement of
such constriction at City's sole expense extend City's Water Main A as shown on
Exhibit B, The Property Owners shall provide approximately one (1) acre, more or less,
for a pump station site commensurate with the construction of Water Main A. The
Property Owners shall be compensated for said site based on fair market value of the
site as determined by an independent appraisal in accordance with Iowa law. Any cost
to extend Water Main A beyond the point shown on Exhibit B is not the subject of this
Agreement. Any property owner who connects to Water Main A shall pay prior to
connection the connection charge established by the City in the amount of $11 per
lineal foot of property frontage on Middle Road.
Exhibit B
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_ COY of oaa,ab
City W AW ly
OPI.Po..d Annezatbn Area
Proposed Sanitary Sever
....... Pmposed Wate, Man
2
Westside Annexation Agreement screenshots:
11. City agrees that upon final approval of a final subdivision plat by the
City Council of the City of Dubuque for Parcel 4, 5 or 6 and the commencement
of construction of the public improvements required by the resolution approving
such plat, City shall not later than twelve months after the commencement of
such construction at City's sole expense extend City's Water Main A as shown
on Exhibit A. Any cost to extend Water Main A beyond the point shown on Exhibit
A is not the subject of this Agreement. A Property Owner who connects to Water
Main A shall pay the connection charge established by the City in the amount of
$11 per lineal foot of property frontage on Middle Road.
12. City agrees that upon final approval of a final subdivision plat by the
City Council of the City of Dubuque for Parcel 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 or 12 and the
commencement of construction of the public improvements required by the
resolution approving such plat, City shall not later than twelve months after the
commencement of such construction at City's sole expense extend City's Water
Main B as shown on Exhibit A. Any cost to extend Water Main B beyond the
point shown on Exhibit A is not the subject of this Agreement. A Property Owner
who connects to Water Main B shall pay the connection charge established by
the City in the amount of $11 per lineal foot of property frontage on Middle Road
or Seippel Road.
City of Asbury
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Annexation Exhibit A
Parcels 13a - 13q
-- - City water (proposed mains A & B)
City water (—sting)
City sewer (e.isong)
City sewer (proposed
collectors A & B)
Callahan sewer collector
(planned)
Asbury city limits
Dubuque city limits
1
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,° City of Dubuque
3
A
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The project consists of two distinct water main extensions, which are expected to be designed
under the same design agreement, but constructed under two (2) contracts (this arrangement
will be evaluated and confirmed during the design process in coordination with the selected
consultant). The first (Contract A) consists of extending 16-in water main along Seippel Road
and Middle Road, starting at a 16-in water main dead end on Seippel Road (north of North
Westbrook Drive) northward to the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Seippel Road, then
westward on Middle Road to a location west of the intersection of Middle Road and Dreamway
Drive. The second (Contract B) consists of extending 12-in and 16-in water main along
Pennsylvania Avenue from an existing 12-in water main dead end on Pennsylvania Avenue
(west of Radford Road) westward to the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Seippel Road.
The project will consist of approximately 13,900 LF of 16-in DIP and 900 LF of 12-in DIP in total.
The design and construction of the Project is anticipated to be funded through the Dubuque
Industrial Center West (DICW) Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program providing funds to the
Water Construction Fund.
This project is a combination of three projects included in the FY2027 Capital Improvement
Program (CIP). The intent will be that the scope and description of the current year -approved
project (CIP No. 4281000083) will be modified to include the entirety of the scope and the other
future year projects will be removed during the development of the FY2028 budget:
— Water Main Extension Pennsylvania Ave (Annex Agreement WM A)
o $80,000 approved for FY27 as Water Construction Fund
o $465,000 scheduled for FY28 as Water Construction Fund
— Water Main Extension Seippel Rd and Pennsylvania Ave (Annex Agreement WM B)
o $585,000 scheduled for FY31 as Water Construction Fund
— West End Annexation Phase II
o $2,000,000 scheduled for FY28 as SRF Loan
DISCUSSION
The Water Department is embarking on starting the design phase of the Middle Road Water
Main Extension Project in the Summer of 2026 in order to hit deadlines related planned
construction in early 2027 through early 2028, with an intermediate deadline in late Fall 2027.
An RFQ has been prepared with the input of various City staff members. The following staff
members make up the RFQ Committee. This team will review qualifications of firms that
respond and formulate a recommendation:
— Chris Lester, Water, Department Director
— Jennifer Larson, Finance, Chief Financial Officer
— Eldon Schneider, Water (Project Supervisor for the Project)
— Carl Plumley, Water
— Max O'Brien, Public Works
0
PROJECT SCHEDULE
The desired project schedule for the initial phase is as follows:
City Council Authorizes Soliciting Design Services RFQ
Aug 17, 2026
City Advertises Design Services RFQ
Aug 19, 2026
Respondent Qualifications Due
Sept 3, 2026
RFQ Committee Reviews Responses and Prepares Shortlist
Sept 10, 2026
RFQ Committee Completes Shortlist Interviews
Sept 14, 2026
RFQ Committee Completes Recommendation to City Manager
Sept 15, 2026
City Council Authorizes Design Services Award
Sept 21, 2026
RFQ Committee and Engineer Prepare Contract Scope Submittal
Oct 9, 2026
RFQ Committee Completes Recommendation to City Manager
Oct 13, 2026
City Council Authorizes Design Services Agreement Execution
Oct 19, 2026
Contract A
Design Engineer Completes Final Design Documents
Jan 4, 2027
City Council Authorizes Bid Initiation
Feb 1, 2027
All Permits Acquired
Feb 5, 2027
City Advertises for Construction Bids
Feb 5, 2027
Council Advertises for Public Hearing
Feb 5, 2027
City Council Holds Public Hearing
Feb 15, 2027
City Conducts Bid Opening
Mar 4, 2027
City Council Authorizes Construction Bid Award
Mar 15, 2027
Contractor Mobilizes for Construction
May 3, 2027
Contractor Substantial Completion
Oct 29, 2027
Contractor Final Completion
Dec 3, 2028
Contract B
Design Engineer Completes Final Design Documents
Feb 5, 2027
All Permits Acquired
Mar 5, 2027
City Council Authorizes Bid Initiation
Mar 15, 2027
City Advertises for Construction Bids
Mar 19, 2027
Council Advertises for Public Hearing
Mar 19, 2027
City Council Holds Public Hearing
Apr 5, 2027
City Conducts Bid Opening
Apr 15, 2027
City Council Authorizes Construction Bid Award
May 3, 2027
Contractor Mobilizes for Construction
Jun 14, 2027
Contractor Substantial Completion
Feb 4, 2028
Contractor Final Completion
Mar 31, 2028
5
BUDGETIMPACT
The original estimate of probable cost for the Middle Road Water Main Extension Project is
provided as follows:
Description
Cost Estimate
Legal Expenses
$0.00
Land and Easements
$0.00
Professional Services (Report or Planning)
$0.00
Professional Services (Design)
$600,000.00
Professional Services (Construction)
$400,000.00
Construction
$3,100,000.00
Contract A
$1, 650, 000.00
Contract B
$1,450,000.00
Equipment
$0.00
Contingency
$300,000.00
Total Estimated Project Cost
$4,400,000.00
Budgeted Expenses for the Middle Road Water Main Extension Project are provided as follows:
CIP
Fund
Budgeted Expenses
Amount
FY2027
4281000083
WCF (from DICW TIF)
Consulting Engineer
(Design Phase
$600,000.00
4281000083
WCF (from DICW TIF)
Consulting Engineer
Construction Phase
$120,000.00
4281000083
WCF (from DICW TIF)
Construction
$1,280,000.00
Total FY27 Project Budgeted Expenses
$2,000,000.00
Proposed FY2028 Additions
4281000083
WCF (from DICW TIF)
Consulting Engineer
Construction Phase
$280,000.00
4281000083
WCF (from DICW TIF)
Construction
$2,120,000.00
Total FY28 Project Budgeted Expenses
$2,400,000.00
Total Project Budgeted Expenses (pending Future FY Budget
$4,400,000.00
Approvals
0
The proposed design phase funds will be pulled from the Consulting Engineer line item.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I respectfully request that the City Council authorize the Water Department to release a request
for qualifications (RFQ) for design of the Middle Road Water Main Extension Project (CIP No.
4281000083).
Prepared by Eldon Schneider, Water Project Supervisor
cc: Jennifer Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Max O'Brien, Assistant Public Works Director - Project Manager
Eldon Schneider, Water Project Supervisor
Carl Plumley, Water Distribution Supervisor
7