Public Works provided a series of project updates covering courthouse construction, in-water drainage work, a sewer-bore obstruction, power and fiber coordination, and an upcoming rural transit pilot.

On the courthouse, staff said the project dashboard was updated with recent drone footage showing the steel frame and that "the next part for the courthouse will be pouring the concrete decks on the courthouse." Staff said foundations are complete and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) frame assembly is expected in two to three weeks.

Public Works described two in-water drainage pours required before the October in-water window closes and reported a setback on a sewer-bore under a wetland. "Paul thinks that we may have hit an old Viking ship with the boring machine," staff joked, explaining the boring machine hit an obstruction; the planned fix is to trench back about 40 feet in dry conditions next July and adjust permits with city coordination.

The department said delays from a local power provider changed plans for underground power along Highway 20 and affected fiber coordination, but temporary generators were used to keep steel assembly on schedule. Staff also briefly updated the board on an FTA EV grant (charging/vehicles) that is delayed in federal review and a $90,000 ODOT innovation grant to study rural shuttle options.

Finally, Public Works said the long-awaited '99 Vine' rural transit pilot between Junction City and McMinnville is scheduled to begin Nov. 10 under a contract with Pacific Crestlines; the pilot is funded for about eight months to evaluate ridership and stops. Staff said additional details and opening announcements will follow.

Public Works listed next steps including permit updates for the sewer repair plan, power/fiber approvals, and further outreach on the 99 Vine pilot.