Staff reports: reservoir work paused for nesting birds; pump station, trail, bank stabilization and splash pad projects progress

Committee members received a multi‑item update from Public Works staff covering staffing vacancies and several capital projects.

Staffing: Ashley Gamble, Public Works staff, told the committee the city is awaiting approval to hire a new administrative employee and is advertising for a budgeted wastewater operator. "We're badly knee in need of more administrative help," Gamble said. She said the wastewater operator posting began in mid/late last week and that staff expect at least some applicants.

Reclaimed reservoir: Gamble reported the reservoir project has broken ground but is paused because of Ecology funding conditions regarding migratory birds. She said, "we have a flicker with a nest... The eggs have hatched, so they got little baby chicks. And the expectation is that they will be fledging and leaving the nest around the July 4 or thereabouts." Gamble said Ecology would not grant an exemption and staff must wait until the chicks leave the nest before work resumes; contractors are ready but are claiming delays.

Pump station: Staff reported removal of an initial pump at the Kimbell Creek Pump Station and said the station pumps the majority of the city's wastewater to the treatment plant. Gamble described the work as progressing on schedule and estimated the pump station activity as about a two‑month project.

River Trail and Sandy Cove bank stabilization: Dylan (staff) has a River Trail project that has been advertised and will be bid "any day," Gamble said; the department expects to return to the committee for approval after bids are received. For the Sandy Cove bank stabilization project, staff said they have clearing to move forward but are awaiting a single signed document (referred to as pending from the Army Corps) expected by the twentieth; once received, final bid documents will be advertised with an anticipated mid‑summer construction window.

In‑water work window: Staff reviewed permitting constraints for in‑water work. Gamble said the in‑water window requires work to be completed by mid‑October (she referenced an October 14–15 cutoff) and noted that a short extension can sometimes be granted. "The real critical line for us is gonna be getting everything done by the in water window, which is late October," she said, adding that failing to finish within the window could risk the project.

Splash pad: Staff described maintenance challenges at the new splash pad following heavy use and mud tracking. Gamble said filters were clogging from grass and mud tracked in by users and that staff plan to install a 10‑foot astroturf apron with drainage on one side at a time to reduce tracked material and lower filter maintenance. She said the shade‑sail foundations were poured and sails will be installed soon. On funding, Gamble said the council approved a parks facilities improvement program with roughly $80,000 set aside per year (about $160,000 in the biennium) as one possible funding source; she also mentioned about $30,000 in liquidated damages the city could apply from a contractor who is a year behind schedule.

Why it matters: Ecology and permitting requirements are directly affecting project timelines and contractors’ schedules; the in‑water window constrains when construction can occur, and splash‑pad maintenance and user management affect operating costs and field use priorities.

Next steps: Staff will continue hiring efforts, monitor the reservoir nesting timeline and resume construction after birds fledge, advertise and receive bids for trail and bank stabilization projects, and develop cost estimates for the splash‑pad improvements for council consideration.