RIVER FALLS — The River Falls City Council approved a resolution Tuesday, April 13, authorizing the city administrator to enter into an agreement with Ayres and Associates for engineering of the Powell Avenue Bridge rehabilitation project.

In Spring 2020, a resident notified city staff of a hole developing on the bridge, which spans the Kinnickinnic River just west of Walgreen’s. St. Croix and Pierce County bridge inspectors, as well as Ayres employees, advised the load rating should be lowered to 10 tons. It will remain that way until the project is complete.

According to a memo, the deck deterioration is caused by a membrane placed on the deck for a repair in the early 90s.

“Water vapors from the river cannot pass through the membrane and they become trapped in the concrete where they freeze and thaw,” the memo states. “This action ha caused the concrete deck to spall or chip off from the bottom.”

In October 2020, a Wisconsin Department of Transportation bridge crew assisted with a temporary repair to the deck’s underside. In November 2020, the RFCC authorized City Administrator Scot Simpson to enter into a state/municipal agreement for a state-let local bridge project. This means the city contracts for bridge design services, and WisDOT reviews the design for anticipated future Local Bridge program funding.

This coming fall, the city will apply for funds for the 2022-27 program. The city will learn in the winter of 2022 if it will receive the funds and if so, after other steps are completed, the construction could begin in Spring 2023. If awarded funding, WisDOT would pay for 80 percent of the project, and the city the other 20 percent.

“I’m typically not a fan of projects with just one bid,” said District 1 Alderperson Sean Downing.

However, the selection team of which he was apart reached out to other consultants, all of whom noted Ayres is the best for the project. Their fee will be $48,460, which is nearly 25 percent less than the estimated $60,000 fee, the city memo stated.

Ayres’ teams have done several bridge projects in River Falls, including the Maple Street bridge in 2007.

Council President Scott Morrissette encouraged city staff to continue conversation with St. Croix County, since he believe the bridge was probably in disrepair when the county transferred it to the city.

Two alderpersons depart

Mayor Dan Toland commended alderpersons Chris Gagne (District 2) and Hal Watson (District 3) for their dedication and years of council service. Gagne and Watson did not seek re-election on April 7. Gagne will be replaced by Nick Carow, while Alyssa Mueller will take Watson’s seat.

Gagne has served on the city council since 2012, Toland noted. He has been a member of the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board, the Library Board and the Design Review Committee. Gagne said he has “a lot going on with work, church and family” and that his priorities need to shift. He thanked city staff for their legwork and daily dedication.

“I think it just goes unnoticed a lot of times the hard work those folks put in for our community,” Gagne said. Watson served on the city council in 200307 and again from 2015-2021, when he also served as deputy comptroller. Toland noted his years on the Plan Commission, Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board, Historical Preservation Commission and Parks & Recreation Advisory Board.

“I’ve learned a lot from each and every one of you,” Watson said.

Other business

•The city council approved a resolution amending the city’s fee schedule.

•The council adopted a resolution supporting a strong state and local partnership regarding shared revenue funds for critical services. The League of Wisconsin Municipalities is calling on its members to urge state representatives to provide additional support to municipalities in the upcoming bi-annual budget.