Utilities and streets report: natural‑gas aggregation, paving plans, road salt and ditch petition discussed

Councilman McGovern’s utilities and streets committee reported on several operational items the council will consider this year, including the city’s natural gas aggregation program, a proposed 2025 paving list, anticipated road-salt purchases and a revised ditch petition.

The committee said residents and eligible small commercial customers within the city corporation limits may participate in the city’s natural gas aggregation. The current supplier named in the report is Constellation; the committee said the existing agreement is a 36‑month term that began Dec. 1, 2022, and runs through Nov. 30, 2025. The committee said residents and small businesses may opt out of the aggregation program without termination fees or penalties. The packet included discussion of possible legislation that would authorize the mayor to lock in a fixed rate when market conditions are favorable; the report noted Aspen Energy as a corporate contact involved in aggregation discussions.

On paving, the committee listed proposed 2025 resurfacing streets: Second Street, Third Street, Ellic Street, Summit Street, McKinley Drive and Forest Drive. The report tied resurfacing funding to the city’s street paving income‑tax levy and noted annual collections in 2024 totaled about $617,000. Committee members said the city is attempting to build a multi‑year paving fund balance “of several hundred thousand” to cover two major resurfacing projects expected in coming years (Mickey Road and another larger project referenced as the Lehigh/Legar project). A previously discussed Clark Street repair was estimated at roughly $16,000.

The committee also reviewed road-salt storage and purchase plans. The salt bin capacity is 1,600 tons; anticipated salt usage for 2025 was stated as 1,600 tons, with a projected purchase cost of $86,232 based on 2024 state bid pricing ($55.32/ton). The report said average salt use per salting event was about 39 tons and the expense per event approximately $1,200.

Finally, the committee described a revised petition concerning the Blackhawk River ditch. The council was reminded that a 2021 petition and resolution were not accepted by the county commissioners after legal review. Staff reported that the petition language has been revised to reduce obstructions and remove log jams to keep water flowing; the council discussed next steps including further review by legal counsel and recommended sending the matter to the safety committee for follow-up.

Brian Crum, director of finance, also provided administrative notes elsewhere in the meeting about tax‑season materials and upcoming appropriations meetings, and reminded council members the paving program would be scheduled for a March 3 meeting for further consideration.