Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Boulder Ridge Project topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Advisory board approves materials purchase for Boulder Ridge electric upgrade to reduce outages
Summary
The River Falls advisory board approved a resolution to purchase materials for a two-year Boulder Ridge Electric Distribution Replacement project. Staff said the work will upgrade 200‑amp infrastructure to 600‑amp, help more than 500 east-side customers, and that directional boring and additional purchases will follow next year.
The River Falls advisory board on Sept. 15 approved a resolution recommending the purchase of materials for the Boulder Ridge Electric Distribution Replacement Upgrades.
Wayne Seiberling, electric superintendent, described the project as a two‑year effort to upgrade aging overhead infrastructure near the hospital and along County Road Elm toward the pedestrian tunnel. Seiberling said the first phase will address an area that experiences frequent outages affecting "500 plus customers" on the east side of town and will upgrade 200‑amp infrastructure to 600‑amp capacity.
Seiberling said the board was purchasing only materials at this meeting; directional boring and the installation portion will come forward as a separate contract next year. He described the cable being purchased as an aluminum conductor with a copper neutral, weighing about two pounds per foot and roughly two inches in diameter, delivered on 1,600‑foot reels totaling about 9,600 feet. Seiberling specified a copper neutral size of "750 MCM." The factory delivery window was described as 2026 (possibly February–May).
Staff told the board the project's capital improvement program (CIP) included roughly $400,000 to extend about 3,000 feet of equipment; additional purchases and directional boring are expected in subsequent fiscal years. Seiberling noted that a vendor called Erby company provided a lower material price than the city's usual joint‑purchasing channel (WPPI Energy), but he cautioned that aluminum and copper market fluctuations could alter costs in 2026.
Unidentified Speaker 4 moved to approve the resolution; an unidentified member seconded and the motion passed by voice vote. The transcript records a voice "Aye" but does not include a roll‑call tally.
Next steps: Staff will return to the board next year with remaining procurement and directional‑boring contract details to complete the project toward planned 2027 work.
