The Beatrice City Council approved Change Order No. 3 to the Lincoln Street improvement project to address a drainage issue near the elementary school, increasing the contract with M. A. Collins Contracting Company by $12,628.17.

City staff explained a culvert that had historically routed water under a trail and into a culvert along Lincoln Street was removed during reconstruction; the original site engineers and the street reconstruction engineers did not coordinate, producing ponding at the northwest corner of the school lot. The change order adds an inlet to connect that corner to the city storm sewer and relieve the ponding.

Council members asked whether the road will be open before school begins. Staff said the contractor has made significant progress and, barring additional rain, “everything indicates that the road will be open” before school starts; sidewalks, however, will not be complete and will require work during the school year. Staff said contractors have been instructed to avoid disruptive activity during arrival and dismissal times and to ensure safe conditions for students.

The council moved the consent agenda with the change order pulled for separate approval; the standalone motion to approve the change order passed unanimously.