Isanti council approves engineering services for Isanti Hills and 2025 pavement project, and extensions for Fairway Greens

The council approved several infrastructure actions including preliminary engineering services for the Isanti Hills improvements, full design and construction engineering services for the 2025 pavement management project, and developer agreements for Fairway Greens North.

Staff described the Isanti Hills item as the preliminary step under Minnesota Statute 429 for phases 1, 3 and 4; the preliminary engineering report was described as a study step billed not-to-exceed roughly $28,000 to produce an assessment report and surveys. Council approved the preliminary engineering authorization to proceed with the MS 429 process.

For the 2025 pavement management project, staff explained a strategy to consolidate mill-and-overlay work to achieve better bid pricing and preserve roads before they require reconstruction. Council discussed why post'bidding/inspection costs can be higher than initial engineering estimates: staff said construction-phase field inspection and post'bidding oversight requires extensive on-site labor and coordination, which drives the larger inspection budget. The council approved the design-through-construction authorization.

The council also approved a snowplow agreement and a second amendment for Fairway Greens North to allow limited permit activity on two parcels while the developer finishes roads in spring; no certificates of occupancy will be issued until the roadwork is completed and secure financial assurances (letter of credit) are in place. All infrastructure motions passed by unanimous vote.