Public works staff presented the utility and transportation quarterly report, giving project timelines, staffing updates and contract activity.

Jim Kelly (staff member) said the wastewater membrane bioreactor (MBR) program remains in integration and computer‑programming work; staff expect to resolve the computer issues and have the new MBR operational by September. The new PLC/SCADA installation at the water treatment plant is complete but programming work continues. The 640 booster pump station building and generator are installed and operational, but staff will not tie the booster into the system until a pressure‑reducing valve (PRV) is installed to prevent backflow into the Snohomish PUD system; staff said the valve is ordered and awaiting delivery.

Staff reported construction and design items: the Prairie Creek BNSF bridge project (FEMA funding) was reinstated and staff are coordinating with BNSF on schedule; the Broadway/Division rehabilitation project will begin August 4 with Phase 3 (Broadway from SR 530 to Division) and staff will distribute detour maps and place reader boards to notify traffic. For federal projects (e.g., Smoky Point Boulevard roundabout and SR 531 widening), staff described the bid‑qualification, DBE and WSDOT concurrence steps required before award.

Water treatment expansion design is progressing; the city is procuring filter trains compatible with its Keystone‑type filtration (manufacturer Keystone now owned by AWC), and staff noted purchases are excluded from tariffs under the US‑Mexico‑Canada Agreement. Haller South well field work reached a contract termination with the prior designer and staff are reformulating the project approach.

Operations items included a new columbarium for the cemetery arriving in six weeks, and a change to biosolids hauling: the city received two bids and selected a low bidder (Septic Solutions) to haul biosolids under a three‑year contract with a one‑year extension to provide an alternate disposal site (Boulder Park) that is less weather‑dependent than eastern Washington land application.

Staff updated a GIS streetlight analysis for Smoky Point Boulevard and plans to coordinate with the PUD to remediate dark areas along the corridor. Several permits and closeouts are ongoing; staff said landscaping and plant establishment for recently completed trail work will be corrected and replanting done in November where necessary. No ordinance or contract award votes were taken during the workshop; staff said several contract items will come back to council next week for formal action.