WATERLOO -- Bids for the city's annual sidewalk repair assessment program have come in well below estimates.

Waterloo City Council members are expected Monday to approve a $108,957 bid from Bentley Construction Inc. of Waterloo for the project, which includes replacing damaged sidewalks on properties where owners either declined to make them themselves or chose to be included in the assessment program.

Engineers had estimated the cost would be nearly $194,000 and had sent out preliminary assessment notices reflecting the higher pricing. While those prices upset some property owners, the lower bid price will result in much lower assessments.

Steen Concrete of Waterloo was the apparent low bidder last week. But city officials rejected the $86,800 bid for "inconsistencies" in the bid document.

Other scheduled council business includes:

-- A public hearing and bid opening on the purchase of seven new 2008 Ford Crown Victoria police cars for the police department. Those cars will be financed with general obligation bonds repaid with property taxes.

-- The purchase of a hot asphalt patcher and truck for $101,607 from Truck Country of Cedar Rapids

The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday in the council chambers on the second floor of City Hall. Committee meetings, held before the regular meeting, include Boards and Commissions, 4:40 p.m., Human Resources, 4:45 p.m., Public Works, 4:50 p.m., Public Safety, 4:55 p.m., and Finance, 5 p.m.

Contact Tim Jamison at (319) 291-1577 or at tim.jamison@wcfcourier.com.