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Public services seeks funds for dam repairs, water/sewer capacity studies and equipment upgrades
Summary
New public services administrator Jordan Roberts detailed infrastructure needs including Superior and Barton dam repairs, sanitary and stormwater capacity analyses, equipment replacements, transportation studies and staff/vehicle requests tied to rising demand and aging systems.
Jordan Roberts, public services area administrator, presented public services’ FY26–27 asks and horizon issues to the council March 24, outlining dam work, utility assessments, maintenance needs, transportation studies and equipment and staffing requests.
Roberts said security and maintenance work at Superior and Barton dams are included in the capital improvement plan to address concrete repairs, an air shaft rehabilitation and embankment work, and noted that such projects address both safety and security concerns. He also described sanitary and stormwater modeling, water main condition assessments and planning to protect raw water sources and diversify supply.
For critical systems maintenance, Roberts requested electrical preventive maintenance, pump and valve replacements, a new filter press, and continued ground valve replacement work. He described transportation and safety studies including the North Main Transportation Study and a multilane reconfiguration program; staff intend to install higher retroreflectivity signage across local streets and begin active‑transportation improvements.
Roberts requested fleet and equipment updates, including an electric Ford Lightning vehicle for bike lane maintenance, a flail‑arm mower that could replace contracted work, and swap‑body trucks that extend vehicle utility and life. He also asked for additional FTEs funded from relative enterprise funds: a solid‑waste supervisor, compost coordinators (coordinating with OSI on compost collection expansion), a forestry outreach position to take over citizen pruner program tasks, and an additional water utility supervisor for the 24‑hour water treatment facility. Roberts noted the water treatment plant will eventually need replacement and that the department faces higher demands as development continues.
On dams and hydroelectric questions, Roberts explained one local dam is still subject to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requirements and the city is weighing rehabilitation to restore small hydroelectric generation versus decommissioning the hydroelectric elements to remove FERC jurisdiction. He also flagged the Dicksboro Bridge as a necessary access point to a dam that the city does not own and which needs repair.
Roberts said capacity assessments will inform where future development is feasible and that staff will coordinate timing with the comprehensive plan implementation and sewer capacity work.
