E2. Lift Station 36 AwardKALISPELL
MEMORANDUM
To: Jarod Nygren — Interim City Manager
From: Keith Haskins, PE — Deputy Director Public Works
CC: Susie Turner, PE — Public Works Director
Re: Lift Station 936 Upgrade Project
Meeting Date: 10/6/2025
BACKGROUND:
The City of Kalispell owns and operates Lift Station #36 which is located just north of the intersection of
the Stillwater River and US Highway 93 N on the western side of the highway. Lift Station #36 was
originally brought online in 2008 and is currently designed to accommodate the area north of Kalispell
along the Highway 93 N corridor which at the time of construction had an estimated peak pump rate of
520 gallons per minute (GPM). Lift Station #36 is needed to convey sanitary sewer flow across the
Stillwater River, eventually transmitting those flows to the intersection of Old Reserve Drive and
Stillwater Road, where gravity flows begin at the Westside Sewer Interceptor constructed in 2018.
The Lift Station #36 collection area is projected to increase in population and sewer demand and is
currently approaching the original lift station design capacity of 520 GPM. In 15-20 years, the wet
weather peak flow to the Lift Station is estimated to be approximately 1,010 GPM which is approximately
two times the current capacity.
The proposed replacement of the lift station will involve constructing a larger wet well, valve vault, and
pump house north of the existing lift station, as well as replacement of approximately 700 feet of existing
force main. The existing lift station will remain in service throughout construction, with usable parts
being salvaged back to the city following completion. By replacing the lift station, the sewer system will
be able to support the anticipated growth over the next 15-20 years.
BIDS RECEIVED:
Bids were received and opened on September 25, 2025, at 8:30 AM. Three responsive bids were received
as summarized below.
Contractor Base Bid
Strods Contracting $3,099,048.00
Westem Municipal Construction, Inc. $3,490,000.00
Jackson Contractor Group $4,069,000.00
Engineer Estimate $3,255,000.00
References for Strods Contracting were contacted and interviewed. Strods was determined to be a
responsible contractor, successfully completing projects of similar size and scope in Northwest Montana.
201 1" Avenue E IPhone (406)758-7720
Po Box 1997 Public Works Department Fax (406)758-7831
Kalispell, MT 59903 1 1 www.kalispell.com
FISCAL EFFECTS:
The project was budgeted from the following line items:
Budget Fund Description Amount
5310-454-430630-961 Sewer Lift Station #36 Improvements $1,894,339.
5311-454-430635-961 Sewer Impact Lift Station #36 Improvements $1,894,339
$3,788,678
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Public Works recommends the award of the Base Bid to Strods Contracting in the amount of
$3,099,048.00. Funds can support the construction and engineering costs of the project with adequate
contingency.
ACTION REQUESTED:
Motion to award the Base Bid to Strods Contracting in the amount of $3,099,048.00.
ALTERNATIVES:
As suggested and approved by the City Council.