Council briefed on landfill, transfer station planning and sanitation staffing needs

City staff updated council on sanitation infrastructure and near‑term planning.

Staff said the city’s landfill currently has an estimated eight years of airspace remaining and that a transfer station is the preferred path to extend service life rather than seeking distant new sites. Staff reported they advanced through the first round of a grant application for transfer station design and permitting but will not have final grant determinations until later in the year; staff are holding design/permitting out of the FY26 package pending grant results.

The draft capital list includes replacement of the landfill gate and fiber to the scale house to improve communications. Staff said a transfer station would permit more automated systems and improve operational efficiency; if the grant is not awarded, staff noted a revenue bond fallback option has been discussed with financial advisors.

Sanitation staffing: staff requested an additional sanitation driver to support growth, future subdivisions and potential curbside recycling. Staff said existing equipment is adequate now but that a new truck may be required in roughly two years if routes expand.

Discussion vs. decision: no formal construction award or site selection were decided at the meeting; staff will continue grant pursuit and present a funding plan if federal/state grants are not awarded.

Ending: staff will provide grant status updates and include landfill/transfer station planning in subsequent capital discussions.