Construction To Begin This Fall And Be Completed By Spring 2024

After a thorough review and discussion, the Callaway Village Board has awarded the bid for the new aquatic center to Hackel Construction of Ord.

The village received two bids for the new pool, which were opened and reviewed at the June 13 meeting. Tanner Hackel, president of Hackel Construction, was present at the meeting to provide further information or answer any questions the board might have. The company brings a lot of experience to the table, having been the contractor for new pools in Cozad, Cambridge and Blue Hill.

The winning base bid for the project is $3,495,000. Bids were also included for alternate projects on top of that as follows: pool area night lighting - $60,265; dewatering allowance (set by the board) - $50,000; and demolition of the old pool - $33,676, bringing the total project cost to $3,638,841.

The only other bid received was from RMV Construction of Kearney. While their base bid was $8,000 below the base submitted by Hackel, RMV was $13,000 higher on the lighting and $55,000 more for the demolition.

“They (Hackel Construction) have a good resume of projects that have been done in the past, and they came in with a good bid. I’m happy to lump them all together and go with the lowest bidder on the project,” said Lawrence Paulsen, Village Board member and chair of the pool committee.

Hackel was asked who some of the subcontractors would be if he was awarded the bid, and he told the board the majority of them would be from central Nebraska. “The closer to home the better,” Hackel added.

Hackel confirmed to the board that his company could meet the timeline being requested for the completion of the project in April 2024, to be opened in time for the 2024 season.

Paulsen made the motions to accept the bids from Hackel Construction on each of the project items - the base, the lighting, and the demolition. The motions were seconded by Abe Hinman and unanimously approved by the board. A motion was also approved to allow $50,000 for dewatering if it is necessary.

The board also discussed the possible sale of the property on the north side of Kimball Street, across from the Community Center which the village currently uses to pile snow. The property consists of five lots which are zoned commercial. Board member Ken Pitkin reminded the board that they can set the guidelines for bids on the property however they want. There has been interest in purchasing the property from at least one individual, and Hinman offered to contact them to see if that interest still exists. No further action on the matter was taken.

Utility Superintendent Rod Brestel presented his report, beginning with questions on clarification of the village policy and procedures for electrical and water service. He asked that the policy under city trash be reworded to say that those not connected to sewer or water service do not have to pay the monthly fees associated with those services. The wording will be changed on that policy and presented at the next meeting for approval.

Brestel also asked the board for direction on dealing with overgrown yards within the village. 'It is and it isn't our responsibility,' said Board President Mark Kimball. 'We are responsible for keeping our streets safe. We have kids on bikes and elderly on golf carts, and we can't have grass so tall you can't see over it.'

Brestel questioned whether village employees should go ahead and cut the grass, and if so will the village bill the property owner? Pitkin reminded the board that policies are already in place outlining the process of contacting the property owner and the timeline before the village gets involved.

The board directed Brestel to get those properties mowed before Pioneer Picnic but agreed that the property owners cannot be billed without receiving sufficient notice. The goal is to just get things looking nice around town before the annual event.

Continuing his report, Brestel shared that he has been contacted by EMT Chief Mark Buss who would like to initiate a program to bring the AEDs (automated ex-The ternal defibrillators) in the community up to par. Buss inspected the three within the village and found repairs that need to be made, at a total cost of $420. The board agreed to pay that cost.

The next discussion item on Brestel's report was how to handle buybacks of cemetery lots. Brestel shared that he has encountered a variety of issues with the lots, including no registered deeds and people who bought the lots years ago and are then buried elsewhere. The board agreed that a policy does need to be in place for dealing with buybacks. It was decided that the village would buy back lots for a flat fee of $50, and Village Clerk Lori Bonde will draft a policy to that effect.

Finally, Brestel asked the board what they would like done with the trees along the south side of the caboose in the mini-park. Disease has ravaged all of the trees, and unfortunately, efforts to save them have not been effective. The board directed Brestel to remove the trees.

In final business, the board approved a request to hold a small wedding ceremony in the mini-park on Saturday, June 24, and approved the rehiring of Lawrence Stump as Village Ordinance Officer. He was rehired effective immediately.