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City engineer outlines wastewater upgrades, new reservoir design and Martin Airfield study findings
Summary
City Engineer Fazari summarized active and planned capital projects including a $5.5 million wastewater Phase 1A under construction, Phase 1B in final design, a 1-million-gallon reservoir 90% designed, and a Martin Airfield study identifying 65 acres suitable for industrial use.
City Engineer Fazari (introduced as the city’s engineering lead) summarized major infrastructure projects, including active construction and near-term bids and design milestones.
“Total project cost about $5,500,000 and plan is to have construction continuing on throughout the end of this year,” Fazari said of the wastewater treatment plant Phase 1A upgrades (headworks, air piping and expansion of a concrete basin).
Fazari reported Phase 1B at the wastewater plant is in final design and will include a UV disinfection system, a large pond, new pump stations and a new irrigation distribution system to serve land adjacent to the plant; the city expects to advertise that work for bids later this year. He said Lift Station No. 5 has started and is pumping sanitary sewage and needs final testing (backup generator) and paving before closeout.
On potable water, Fazari said 90% design is complete for a new 1,000,000-gallon elevated storage tank and a 16-inch transmission main; the work is broken into three construction phases tied to an Owens Road alignment and the proposed Mjolnir Road project. “The first project will coincide with the Mjolnir Road construction project,” he said.
Fazari presented the Martin Airfield planning study (a CURB-funded $100,000 planning grant). The 240-acre study area identified about 65 acres potentially suitable for industrial development and recommended infrastructure improvements to serve the site, including a new sanitary lift station/force main, water system expansion and confirmation that the existing roadway network could accommodate development. The study also recommended creation of an airport overlay zone to provide an appropriate zoning framework for aviation‑adjacent uses.
Fazari said transportation staff evaluated a requested pedestrian crossing and estimated a hardwired RRFB would cost about $200,000; the city is evaluating solar-powered RRFBs as a lower-cost alternative. He said engineering has recommended converting the Sixth & Bade location to a four-way stop and is finalizing a memo for city staff. Fazari also said the Southeast Eighth sidewalk design is nearing completion and is scheduled for bidding this fall with construction in winter.
Several commissioners asked follow-up questions: Commissioner Williams asked what an airport overlay zone means; a staff member explained it is a zoning approach to allow airport-related and ancillary industrial uses where existing zoning does not explicitly permit them. Williams also asked the consultant to consider reclaimed-water options for future industrial uses at Martin Airfield; commissioners noted the comprehensive plan will address future zoning and infrastructure needs.
Fazari concluded that some projects will be advertised for bids later this year and that staff will continue coordinating design with development proposals and funding opportunities.
