Lewiston council passes library lighting contract, Thane Road corridor study and other measures in Dec. 23 session

Lewiston City Council approved multiple operational, capital and planning measures at its Dec. 23 meeting, including a contract award for library lighting, adoption of the Thane Road Corridor & Access Study, authorization for a construction manager/general contractor preconstruction amendment for downtown water-main work, and the first reading of a new stormwater illicit-discharge ordinance.

Library lighting: The council awarded IFB-24-021 (base bid and add alternate 1) for library lighting upgrades to CNC Electric LLC. The motion to award the bid was moved by Councilor Schroeder and seconded by Council President Klieberg; the clerk recorded the vote as unanimous in favor. The packet lists two slightly different totals in the record ($225,575 and $222,575 were both mentioned in the meeting transcript); the council approved the award as presented and authorized the mayor to execute the contract. (Transcript contains both figures; the article does not assert which is final beyond the city record.)

Thane Road Corridor & Access Study (Resolution 2024-43): The council adopted the Thane Road Corridor and Access Study drafted by Kittelson & Associates to guide long-term safety and access projects on Thane Road. The study identifies high-accident clusters, short- and long-term project concepts (signal upgrades, raised medians, dedicated turn lanes and intersection reconfigurations) and a public-outreach record. The vote on Resolution 2024-43 passed; recorded votes were Councilor Spickelmeyer — Aye; Councilor Liedtke — Aye; Councilor Klein — Nay; Councilor Schroeder — Aye; Councilor Forsman — Nay; Council President Klieberg — Aye. The mayor’s vote was not recorded on that roll call; the motion carried.

Downtown transmission main and CM/GC amendment: The council approved an amendment to the preconstruction services agreement with the construction manager/general contractor (Kenaston, Leon & Keeble group) in the amount of $3,200,000 to continue preconstruction planning for the downtown transmission main replacement (R600 Phase 2). Director Dustin Johnson explained the city is using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for a downtown water-line program and will bring a spring 2025 general-obligation bond proposition for a larger Main Street reconstruction; the preconstruction amendment authorizes continued design and planning work now so ARPA-obligation deadlines can be met.

Stormwater ordinance first reading (Ordinance 4934): The council approved first reading of Ordinance 4934, which enacts an illicit-discharge and stormwater-drainage regulation into the Lewiston City Code to satisfy NPDES Phase II municipal stormwater permit requirements. The ordinance adds enforcement authority, requires regulated facilities to provide spill notification and names illicit discharges (oil, construction sediment, pool discharges, etc.). The first reading passed by voice vote.

Other measures: The council also approved Resolution 2024-49 to declare specified city property surplus and authorize trade-in of older gurneys as part of ambulance equipment replacement; approved Resolution 2024-51 extending sanitation contracts; and approved an appointment to the Emergency Medical Services advisory board (Chris Jacks). Several of these items were routine consent or contract actions with little debate.

What councilors said: Public-works director Dustin Johnson emphasized the Thane study is a planning step that feeds the Transportation Capital Improvement Plan and grant applications, and he recommended the council prioritize targeted intersection projects identified in the study. Councilors debated trade-offs in the Thane study between access to businesses and safety improvements that reduce left-turn conflicts.

What happens next: Staff will use the adopted Thane study to prioritize projects for the transportation capital-improvement program and grant applications; planning work for the downtown transmission main will continue alongside design for Main Street reconstruction pending the bond outcome; the stormwater ordinance will return for a second reading and adoption at a future meeting.