MOUND, Minn. — The Mound City Council voted Tuesday to award the Lost Lake Commons Phase 2 construction contract to Pembroke Companies and to include two alternates: converting a section of trail to concrete and replacing the boardwalk decking.

The decision: City Engineer Matt Bauman presented bids for the Lost Lake Commons Phase 2 project (city project PW 2510) and recommended awarding the base bid to Pembroke Companies, the low bidder. After debating a set of alternates — signage and Adirondack chairs (alternate 1), replacing a trail section with concrete (alternate 2), and replacing the boardwalk decking with composite (alternate 3) — the council approved the base bid plus alternates 2 and 3 and declined alternate 1. The council approved the resolution accepting the bid by voice vote (majority approval).

Why it matters: The work is intended to complete the long-planned public amenity at Lost Lake Commons. Bauman said the long-term financial plan had $884,000 allocated for the project; bids came in competitively but with costs that could put parts of the project “a little bit over” that allocation. The boardwalk decking alternate was quoted at just under $48,000; the trail conversion alternate was presented to the council as a more durable, aesthetic option to match the plaza.

Public input and debate: Joanna Khan, chair of Mound's parks-related commission, urged the council to restore amenities citizens had advocated for during an earlier multi-year design process, including interpretive signs and the “art walk.” Council members and staff replied that some fixtures can be deferred, that elements of the base bid supply the supporting fixtures (for example the panels’ mounting structures), and that the council planned additional joint workshops with the parks commission to finalize interpretive content.

Budget and contract details: Bauman said bids were competitive — the low bid was significantly below the high bid and the engineer’s estimate — and that Pembroke has completed previous city work. The council’s action approves resolution 2568 and directs staff to execute the contract and begin construction work under city procurement rules; staff said infrastructure elements are scheduled to be installed this fall with efforts to make the plaza usable for seasonal events, including holiday lighting.

Outcome and next steps: The council approved awarding the contract to Pembroke with the base bid plus alternates 2 and 3. Staff will finalize contract documents and coordinate installation timing with public events and seasonal constraints. The council deferred alternate 1 (wayfinding sign and Adirondack chairs) to a joint parks workshop to discuss sign content and seating options.