City manager gives overview of active capital projects, AMI meter work underway

City Manager Silcott briefed the Ottawa City Commission on March 19 about active capital improvement projects and near-term milestones, reporting progress on multiple infrastructure efforts.

Silcott said the Proximity Park water tower and water pump plant upgrades are in progress (tower and pump delivery items remain) and noted the tower project was about 62% complete with a projected completion in the first quarter of 2026. The water plant generator project is roughly 89.4% complete with a fourth-quarter 2025 target. Residential AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) meter deliveries had arrived and installation work was under way; the city expects to complete residential installations in the third quarter of 2025 and commercial meter replacements in the fourth quarter of 2025. The Pin Oak sanitary sewer lift station had one change order and was expected to complete the following month, and the commission chamber technology upgrade is scheduled to begin construction May 5 with a 60–90 day window for completion.

Nut graf: The manager framed the updates as monthly high-level items across water, electric and facilities work; staff noted some projects are behind original schedules but said contractors have been secured and that the city is coordinating sequencing to minimize service impacts.

Commissioners asked about delays for the commission chamber work and contractor availability; staff said a subcontractor had been secured and that May 5 is the projected start date. Silcott closed with community items and operational highlights including pothole patching metrics and upcoming public events.

Ending: Staff said more detailed engineer presentations (water treatment study) will be provided to the commission at upcoming meetings and that several projects remain on active timelines through 2025 and into 2026.