In a recent Regular Commission Meeting held on September 22, 2025, the City of Helena addressed significant infrastructure improvements, particularly focusing on a major sewer rehabilitation project. The meeting, attended by city officials and commissioners, underscored the city's commitment to maintaining and upgrading essential services for its residents.

One of the key discussions revolved around the bid award for the 2019 Cured In Place Pipe (CIPP) Sewer Main Rehabilitation Project, identified as project number 24-04. Public Works Director Leland and City Engineer Jamie Clark presented the details of the project, which aims to rehabilitate aging sewer infrastructure that runs beneath residential and commercial properties. The project received a single bid from Vortex Services LLC, totaling $964,990. This bid was deemed competitive due to the local company's reduced mobilization costs.

Commissioners raised concerns about potential disruptions to residents and businesses during the rehabilitation process. Clark assured them that the contractor would implement bypass pumping to manage sewer flows and that residents would be notified in advance of any service interruptions. He also mentioned that while there might be some odor associated with the curing process, it would not be the typical sewer smell.

After some initial confusion regarding the bid amounts and project number, the commission successfully moved to award the project to Vortex Services LLC, with a unanimous vote of 5-0. This decision reflects the city's proactive approach to addressing infrastructure needs while ensuring minimal disruption to the community.

In addition to the sewer project, the meeting included updates from the city manager and communications from the Helena City Council. Ben Piper, chair of the Helena City Council, announced their next public meeting scheduled for September 24, inviting community participation.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the city's ongoing efforts to enhance public infrastructure, ensuring that essential services remain reliable for Helena's residents. As the project moves forward, the city will continue to communicate with the community to mitigate any inconveniences during the rehabilitation process.