The Lake Elmo City Council authorized Bolton & Menk to prepare plans and specifications to replace and upsize an approximately 1,900-foot stretch of existing water main along Casa 14 (from Casa 17 north to Layton Avenue), approving a consultant contract for design work in the amount of $77,600.

City Engineer Nathan Stanley told the council the existing 6-inch main has deteriorated and experienced seven breaks in the last six years, five of them in the last three years. Staff recommended upsizing the main to 12 inches to provide additional redundancy and capacity for potential redevelopment in the area. The engineer recommended directional drilling with five isolated pits to minimize surface disruption and to place the new main to avoid future conflicts with an eventual county road project.

Stanley presented an estimated construction cost of about $850,000, based on recent bids for comparable directional-drill work elsewhere in the city. The design schedule outlined included plan approval and advertising in January, bid opening and contract award in February and construction later in the spring with completion by late summer.

Funding: staff said the project is not currently in the city CIP but intends to fund the work from the Water Enterprise Fund; council discussion noted the fund’s restricted connection/access fees are intended for capital or debt service uses and that staff would adjust the CIP and confirm available cash. A council member noted that a 2024 financial statement showed roughly $4 million cash in the water fund and that the city expects ongoing connection fees and development activity to replenish the fund.

Council authorized the design contract with Bolton & Menk for $77,600 and directed staff to proceed with the design and coordination with the county and to adjust the city CIP as necessary. The motion passed by voice vote.