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Council hears preconstruction plan, outreach options and a utility conflict for downtown water‑sewer project
Summary
City staff and the project team outlined the upcoming water‑sewer construction schedule, a March 24 public meeting and outreach approaches; a telecommunications vault near Crescent Street requires the contractor to shift a water main alignment, and staff recommended a biweekly public update cadence during peak construction.
City staff told the Flandreau City Council Monday that a preconstruction conference has been completed for the downtown water‑sewer project and that officials will hold a public meeting next week to answer residents’ questions.
Cole (city staff) said the preconstruction conference included the city, the consulting engineer IMAG, the general contractor and state Department of Transportation and local utility companies. He said crews expect to begin paving- and right-of-way work “as soon as two weeks” with construction to follow, and the city will hold a community meeting March 24 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers to brief residents who may be affected.
Cole and the consultant recommended proactive public outreach, including biweekly owner‑contractor progress meetings at the project outset, a possible livestream or brief video updates, and posting progress content on the city website and social media. Staff noted that bimonthly or monthly owner/contractor meetings could also satisfy funding agency requirements for progress documentation.
Utility and tree-removal issues: staff reported a utility conflict at Crescent Street where a telecommunications vault sits close to the planned water main alignment. The city will shift the new water main to the opposite side of the road, a change that will lengthen some service laterals and shorten others but does not require redesign of the overall plan, Cole said. The packet also included tree‑removal pricing and staff recommended the council consider opportunistic removals now while the contractor is mobilized.
Why it matters: the outreach plan and schedule will shape residents’ ability to plan around street closures and driveway access. Staff recommended a biweekly communication cadence during the early blocks of work to give residents timely warnings about short-term access impacts.
Quotes: “That meeting will be to answer questions from the general public, those who may be affected by the work to be in progress,” Cole said when describing the March 24 session. On the communications cadence, Cole said a proactive, biweekly owner-contractor meeting helps the city get information out rather than react to complaints.
Next steps: staff will post the March 24 meeting notice on the city website and publish it in local newspapers; the council asked staff to finalize outreach formats before the meeting and to provide updates on the vault relocation and any tree-removal add-ons.
