Committee hears operations update: lift station work, delayed power truck, Southtown design and new pedestrian beacons

At the end of the agenda the Public Works Committee received an operations update covering several ongoing maintenance and capital activities.

Staff reported the contractor will finish transfer‑switch work at two lift stations and complete landscaping soon; staff expects those lift station items to be wrapped up by mid‑May. "The contractor is coming in to finish up the transfer switch work, and then landscaping work remains. I'm thinking somewhere by mid May we should be wrapped up with those two lift stations," Brad, Public Works staff, said.

Committee members asked about a power truck the city ordered in November 2022. Staff said the vehicle finally reached production but at a higher cost; existing balances are available to pay the increase. "The power truck ... finally made us to production, but does cost more. We do have balances that we can use to pay for [it]," Brad said.

Staff previewed upcoming traffic and design work on Southtown, saying consultants (Strand) will present designs and traffic counts for a major decision the committee will consider in a future meeting.

Committee members also asked about new pedestrian flash beacons. Staff said City Council approved beacons for the Nichols and Maywood corner and a Southtown bus stop; crews were installing bases and the beacons should be operational within about a week. "City Council added pedestrian flash beacons for that intersection and out on Southtown by the bus stop ... they should be up to run probably by the end of next week," Brad said.

The committee received the update; multiple items will return for later committee or council consideration.