Board approves disbursements, hears timeline for downtown interceptor and lead service-line work

Board approves disbursements, hears timeline for downtown interceptor and lead service-line work

At the Public Works and Safety Board meeting Sept. 17, city staff won approval to execute two expenditure disbursement requests and provided detailed updates on several ongoing water and sewer capital projects, including the lead service-line replacement program and the downtown interceptor route and schedule.

The approvals and updates matter because the projects affect public health, grant reimbursement timelines and near-term street disruptions in several neighborhoods. Staff said the actions will allow contractors to proceed with design, bidding and construction engineering inspections and will keep federally or state-funded programs on schedule.

Staff reported that the city has replaced 51 lead service lines so far under the current program and that the city received phase 2 funding for lead service-line work in the amount of $5,000,000. "We need to have this first phase lead service line project done before we close on the second phase; that closing is May 2026," staff told the board. The board approved disbursement number 9 in the amount of $43,334 to support the existing lead service-line project; staff asked the board to authorize the mayor to execute the disbursement request form and the motion passed by voice vote.

On the downtown interceptor project, staff said subsurface utility exploration (SUE) work is complete along Route 231 and that, depending on contractor start locations, some areas could remain unpaved over the winter. Staff said they have identified alternate paving and backfill methods to limit settlement and will present a change order that is "well within project budgeted funds." The board approved disbursement number 11 in the amount of $132,092 to support ongoing work; staff again requested authorization for the mayor to execute the disbursement request form and the motion passed by voice vote.

Staff provided a tentative construction schedule for the downtown interceptor: the contractor has targeted Oct. 7 as the first-crew start date at an existing right-of-way location, though staff said that start is unlikely given outstanding submittals. Staff said a second start location is targeted for Nov. 3, with a possible start as late as Dec. 1. Staff also warned that certain work will require tree removal and pruning after brown bat season ends in October; they said trees requiring removal or pruning will be marked and public works will coordinate notification to property owners.

The treatment plant project is complete, staff said, and the city has received an updated NPDES permit that allows use of the wet-weather facility. Staff added a mixer at the plant is under warranty repair pending replacement parts. For the Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant, staff said permits have been executed by public works and they are awaiting one vendor submittal; staff anticipates submitting the permit this week and estimates about 60 days for permit processing while design and cost estimates are finalized.

Staff also reported a scope change in the collection system design: three lift stations originally planned were reduced to two after designers found a gravity sewer alignment that removes the need for one lift station. Staff said they are designing that gravity sewer now.

Board members pressed staff about traffic impacts. A board member noted that some neighborhoods are effectively one way in and one way out; staff said the project was split into multiple components to stage traffic control and paving and singled out Phase 2 and South Street as likely to see the most early disturbance.

Staff said they will return with contract documents for design, bidding and construction engineering inspection at a future meeting and will keep the city apprised of schedule changes and tree-removal notifications.