City staff outlines plan to address recurring flooding at 40 First Street

City staff reported a staged approach to address recurring flooding at 40 First Street, telling the Hibbing City Council on Oct. 1 that engineering plans are underway and initial work could begin late in the fourth quarter of 2025 or in early 2026.

"We've engaged Bar Engineering. They're drafting up some plans and specifications," city staff member Craig Krasinski said, adding that the council should receive the plans in October with approval expected in November. "Project probably either last part of the fourth quarter, first part of the first quarter in 2026."

Krasinski outlined three components of the plan: dredging a storm line, expediting a sanitary sewer lining project to reduce infiltration of fresh water, and piloting manual valves on several homes to keep sewage in the lines where it belongs. On the scope of the pilot, Krasinski said, "I've only got 2 on my list right now," indicating the city plans to start with a small number of homes and adapt as needed.

During council discussion a member asked whether the city had reached out to affected residents, specifically the Tyson family. Krasinski said he had contacted at least one resident and would contact the others, noting, "I'll make sure they're on that."

The staff presentation included an acknowledgement of some technical and logistical challenges for the pilot valve installations; Krasinski described the valve work as a piece of a broader mitigation strategy rather than a standalone fix. No formal council action was taken at the Oct. 1 meeting; staff said they would return with plans and a formal recommendation for council approval in a subsequent meeting.

Ending Council members asked for continued updates as engineering plans are finalized; staff said formal project documents would be available to the council in October and expected back for approval in November.