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Council hears four‑year capital improvement plan; wastewater oxidation‑ditch expansion highlighted
Summary
City staff presented a four‑year CIP that prioritizes wastewater infiltration-and-inflow work, a likely near-term oxidation‑ditch expansion, water and stormwater pipe replacements, and targeted transportation projects; staff said several projects could be funded from existing reserves and system development charges.
City staff presented a four‑year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) during the Feb. 3 meeting that prioritizes a set of achievable projects and aims to reduce the scope compared with prior multi‑year lists.
Presentation overview: Staff said the updated CIP covers four years and focuses on fewer, higher‑priority, achievable projects so rate and funding work can be grounded in realistic deliverables. The plan includes multi‑funded maintenance-yard improvements, a multi‑year program of wastewater infiltration-and‑inflow (I&I) reduction work, a potential oxidation‑ditch expansion at the wastewater treatment plant, water‑main upsizing and annual pipe replacement programs tied to road resurfacing, stormwater projects, and targeted transportation-plan and cross‑section updates.
Wastewater priorities and oxidation ditch: Staff emphasized the city’s immediate need to manage inflow and infiltration and noted Department of Environmental Quality correspondence indicating the city may be at or near winter‑flow capacity. The packet lists a staged approach: targeted I&I repairs, a city‑wide I&I study (flow monitoring and CCTV inspection) to prioritize future work, and an oxidation‑ditch expansion that staff said may be fundable with a mix of cash reserves and system development charges. Staff characterized the oxidation‑ditch expansion as a large project likely to span two biennia but said current reserves and SDC eligibility make it plausible without issuing large new debt.
Other utilities work: The CIP includes funds to identify and replace undersized or failing pipes ahead of roadway resurfacing, a program of water‑main upsizing in older parts of the city, and stormwater upgrades at several known problem locations. Staff described several site‑specific problems (a frequently failing undersized water main that crosses a railroad ballast, a crushed storm line under a building that regularly floods adjacent properties) and said immediate work will be scoped and, in some cases, bid this year.
Transportation and planning: Staff proposed a Transportation System Plan update and a refreshed set of street cross‑sections to give the city and private developers more cost‑effective options for future street work; staff said improving the “tool bag” of allowable cross‑sections could reduce right‑of‑way acquisition and costs on future projects.
Funding and next steps: Staff said some projects would be paid from existing reserves, SDC receipts and rate revenue; several items will require project design and confirmation of SDC eligibility. The plan will feed into the city’s upcoming rate study so any rate changes are tied to a prioritized, achievable project list.
Ending: Staff presented the CIP for council review and said the next steps are project design, prioritization and integration with the rate model and upcoming budget discussions. Councilors asked for continued project scoping and cost‑control efforts and for staff to return with design recommendations where required.
