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Public works reports water-line work around the square, Fieldmaster upgrades and paving bid; dumpster and sidewalk issues noted
Summary
Public Works Director Jack Williams reported crews are working night shifts on downtown water-line repairs with an estimated 4–5 week timeline, recommended capital upgrade for Fieldmaster tank-monitoring system, announced a blanket paving bid release May 28, and described a long-standing dumpster issue and near-complete sidewalk project.
Public Works Director Jack Williams updated the Board of Mayor and Aldermen on multiple downtown infrastructure and operations items, including an ongoing water-line project around the square, equipment modernization needs, and a paving procurement.
Williams said crews began work around the square and encountered undocumented storm drains and other subsurface conditions; construction will proceed on night shifts with a current estimate of four to five weeks to finish that segment. He said staff will document discovered infrastructure for future reference because existing civil drawings are incomplete or missing.
Williams reviewed the Fieldmaster system (a tank-monitoring sensor and associated hardware) and recommended a capital upgrade, noting existing equipment risks loss of software and hardware support after December 31. He said upgrades are part of the capital request for the upcoming budget because the current hardware is approaching obsolescence.
On paving, Williams said a blanket bid solicitation will be released May 28 to prequalify contractors for future street work and help streamline later project scheduling. He also said the city is developing a street-naming policy and application process and plans to present a model to the board next month.
Board members asked about a dumpster that has been parked downtown for months. Williams said city staff must allow some dumpsters for active construction work but acknowledged the one in question had been in place for about six months; he said the contractor expects removal soon and staff will coordinate with property owners about overnight parking during construction. Williams said the Croix Engineering sidewalk project is essentially complete and staff expect to close out the contract shortly after addressing minor landscaping punch-list items.
No formal votes were taken; the presentation was informational and will feed capital and operating budget discussions.
