Public works and engineering staff presented the monthly activity report highlighting completed paving and construction work, routine street maintenance, and operational changes for the season.

Public Works Superintendent Paul Vollett said paving finished earlier in the week and crews are bringing manholes up to grade and completing restoration work in the spring where necessary. Street-maintenance work included catch-basin maintenance, asphalt patching and assistance with cemetery repairs. Seasonal preparations included fitting vehicles with sanders and wings for winter operations.

Vollett announced the final yard-waste collection week will be the week of Nov. 10; residents must use craft paper bags and request pickup via the city website or phone. The East compost site's last day will be Wednesday, Nov. 12; the West compost site's last day will be Friday, Nov. 14. Brush collection for the year is finished.

Vollett also noted recent sign and parking-ordinance work (permit parking on Johnson Street lot, no-parking signs on Alton Street near Mead School and other locations) and assistance with traffic control for events such as the WIAA state cross-country meet hosted by Lincoln High School.

Resident Elizabeth Whalen thanked staff and asked for a public-education campaign discouraging residents from blowing leaves into streets and for better maintenance of park parking lots; staff said outreach via the city website and community media is the current avenue and acknowledged resource limits for more extensive campaigns.

Staff also summarized a recent traffic study at Spencer Street and 18th Avenue South that found an 80-fifth-percentile speed at or below 26 mph and recommended no additional signage based on policy. Project designs for 2026 were said to be progressing and staff will review final 2025 project costs before the December meeting.