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Council approves final-assessment resolutions, splash pad contract and rolls retaining-wall work into Sixth Avenue project
Summary
The Virginia City Council approved supplemental-assessment resolutions for multiple street projects, authorized a feasibility public hearing for the 2026 infrastructure program, approved a utilities agreement for a grant-funded splash pad and agreed to fold a private retaining-wall repair into next year’s Sixth Avenue work.
The Virginia City Council acted June 17 on multiple infrastructure items: it approved supplemental-letter resolutions for final assessments on two completed street-improvement projects, directed staff to proceed with a feasibility public hearing for the city’s 2026 infrastructure improvement project, approved a professional services agreement for splash-pad utilities tied to a $500,000 grant, and voted to roll a private-property retaining-wall repair into the larger Sixth Avenue project to obtain more economical pricing.
What the council approved and why: - Final-assessment supplemental letters: The council approved a resolution for a supplemental letter of agreement related to Sixth Avenue West and Seventeenth Street final assessments (motion moved by Councilor Bachsteiner and supported by Councilor Motley) and a similar resolution for Tenth Avenue West and Thirteenth Street South (moved by Councilor Bauschneider and supported by Councilor Friedley). Council members said the paving and punch-list work were nearing completion and the resolutions set the assessment process in motion. - 2026 infrastructure feasibility and public hearing: The council approved a resolution receiving the feasibility report and calling for a public hearing for the 2026–2027 infrastructure improvement project; councilors indicated this item is closely related to the major Sixth Avenue project and will allow the city to finalize scope and assessments. - Splash pad utilities and grant: The council approved the professional services agreement for utilities to serve a proposed splash pad. Councilors discussed location options (beach area versus Alcott Park) and questions about infrastructure costs and discharge; staff said the project is substantially grant-funded — an MPCA-related grant for $500,000 was cited — and that the city’s 10% match could be met in-kind if needed. The motion to approve the utilities agreement carried. - Retaining wall at 507 Second Street North: Staff reported a collapsed retaining wall behind a commercial property and said bids were difficult to obtain for a small, stand-alone project. The council voted to roll the work into next year’s Sixth Avenue project to achieve lower costs and avoid mobilization overhead; the property owner is reported to be cooperative.
Votes and motions: Multiple motions were made and carried during the meeting. Several councilors noted the splash pad is fully grant-funded aside from any match and that location decisions could affect utility costs and permitting (including potential MPCA and DNR permitting for water discharge to Silver Lake).
Why it matters: The actions advance several capital projects that will affect assessments on nearby properties, park amenities and near-term capital spending. Rolling the retaining-wall work into a larger upcoming project is intended to reduce costs by bundling work under a single construction contract.
Ending: The council directed staff to continue finalizing assessment calculations and public-hearing scheduling and to pursue grant and permitting steps for the splash-pad utilities; specific assessment hearings and final costs will be set in subsequent council proceedings.
