City Engineer Brett Runde gave the commission a wide-ranging update on the city’s 2024 engineering portfolio, summarizing completed projects, those still underway and items that will extend into 2025.

Runde said the 2021 wastewater treatment facility improvements (an SRF-funded project) is complete and the project closeout occurred after a DANR (state) final walkthrough. The project had a budget of $14,900,000, and Runde reported approximately $14,400,000 in final spending, describing the project as functionally complete and operating.

On downtown work, Runde described the 2023 Dakota Avenue streetscape and roadway project as particularly disruptive to businesses this year. Water-main replacement from Seventh to Market was completed, but the streetscape (pavers, planters, trees and benches) remains unfinished and will resume next spring; a missing bracket for decorative pedestrian lights delayed final installation. Runde said portions of the project are split in cost between utility work and streetscape and that the city will continue work into 2025.

The Solid Waste Transfer Station project experienced a structural failure this spring when wind blew down part of the building. Runde said the contractor and city worked through insurance and redesign of the foundation, and the building is now enclosed but mechanical and electrical work remains. Temporary diesel heating will be used through the winter; Runde said mid‑January completion was optimistic and that a phased move-in in February 2025 is more likely. The original contract budget for the transfer station was $9,200,000 and Runde reported current contracted/anticipated costs near $9,000,000 but noted pending change orders and consultant claims that could alter final contract sums.

Other projects covered included the Crossroads parking-ramp removal and new parking lot (change order cost shared with consultant), Memorial Park baseball lighting upgrade (completed but over the original $334,000 budget), ARPA-funded water-main replacement covering 41 blocks (contract ~ $3.8M, under the $3.97M budget), SCADA upgrades for water and wastewater, manhole-lining and lift-station rehabilitation work, and ongoing FEMA floodplain mapping updates that may require local ordinance changes.

Why it matters: the updates include multi-million-dollar capital work that affects downtown businesses, utility reliability and future budgets. Several projects remain unfinished or delayed, including the Solid Waste Transfer Station and streetscape elements, with schedule and change-order questions affecting final costs.

Next steps: staff will pursue final contract closeouts and change-order negotiations, monitor liquidated‑damages or contractor claims as needed, pursue sidewalk/streetscape completion in spring 2025, and bring any necessary ordinance updates (floodplain) to the commission for review.