Kennedy water project awarded

By Anna Jauhola
The Kennedy City Council approved a low bid for its water project during the regular meeting on Wednesday, April 8. It didn’t come without its challenges.
The council approved a contract with Northern Plains Contracting to complete the Kennedy Pump House Project for $1,546,000. This was under the engineer’s estimate by about $34,000. Although this bid came in a few weeks ago, City Clerk/Treasurer Melissa Woinarowicz said the USDA needed to grant an extension – which they did – on the original funding award. They also provided a formal bid concurrence. The USDA granted the city money in 2021 to do this project, and it had a completion deadline of five years, which is September 2026.
The council first awarded the bid to Northern Plains, which is out of Wolverton, Minn.
“They actually did a project for Bollig in Elizabeth, Minn., and it went very well,” said Cade Krueger, Bollig project engineer. “They were very good to work with. I have a lot of faith that they’ll do a good job.”
The council next voided the previously signed owner-engineer agreement with Bollig, which had an amendment attached to it, and signed a newly dated agreement. This new agreement is the same, but needed to be signed by Brian Bollig of Bollig Engineering instead. This agreement allows Bollig Engineering to receive its fees from USDA Rural Development.
The date to complete this project now that it has been awarded is November 2027.
“Beyond that time is when liquidated damages will start taking effect,” Krueger said.
Northern Plains has about a year and half to complete this project, unless circumstances call for an extension.
“They do intend to start this in May, I talked to them about that,” Krueger said.
When construction starts, there may be a short water interruption, and Northern Plains has to give 48 hours notice to the city and Kittson Marshall Rural Water before it happens, Krueger added.

To read the whole story, see the April 15, 2026, edition of the Kittson County Enterprise