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City engineer: geotechnical work done for government complex; HMGP lift‑station elevation work started; sewage backup prompts possible engineering review
Summary
The city engineer reported that geotechnical field work for a proposed government complex is complete and that a federally funded project to elevate 12 sewer lift stations began Oct. 1; commissioners also discussed an electrical failure at a separate lift station that allowed raw sewage into a neighbor’s yard.
City Engineer Jim updated the City Commission on several infrastructure projects and an ongoing sewer complaint.
Jim said geotechnical field work for the new city government complex is finished and the team expects the written report within about a week, after which civil design work can proceed. "The field work for the geotechnical investigation is complete and the report is currently being compiled," Jim said. He added the architect has completed a preliminary building layout and the project is roughly 30% through planning for stormwater and civil design.
Jim also reported the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) project to elevate 12 lift stations began on Oct. 1 and that contractor Kenny Strangenacker is performing those improvements. Downtown utilities phase 2 is described as wrapped up on the ground, but the contractor still owes an as‑built survey and final invoice before the project can be closed out.
Separately, commissioners and staff discussed a recurring problem at a lift station near Herrimal where an apparent electrical problem caused the pump to fail and raw sewage to reach a neighbor’s yard. A commissioner said the city should engage an engineer if necessary to eliminate the problem. "If you get to the point that we have to have an engineer come in and look at alleviating the problem of raw sewage going on neighbors' yard, then I'm more than willing to get an engineer involved," said one commissioner. City staff said they had pumped and taken steps to reduce the station's vacancy and to monitor the situation.
On downtown alleys and Avenue A stormwater work, Jim said field survey work is complete and the city is waiting on a drone survey before beginning design services. The engineer asked commissioners to flag any other questions and said staff would follow up on outstanding as‑built surveys and contractor final pay requests.
The commission did not take a final action on the Herrimal lift‑station issue during the meeting, but directed staff to continue monitoring and to bring engineering options if problems recur.
