Residents complain about sewer contractor traffic management; commission discusses road repairs and tracking tool

Residents raised multiple complaints at the Feb. 18 planning commission meeting about the sewer contractor’s traffic management practices, saying equipment and open trenches blocked gates and driveways on weekends and that flaggers and a clear daily cleanup plan were not consistently in place.

Speakers said access to private gates on Solomon and Tamarack roads had been obstructed on consecutive weekends and described equipment parked in the middle of the road. Staff acknowledged some issues and said public‑works personnel had discussed concerns with the contractor; commissioners noted flaggers were not included in some bids and that the city often bears costs for traffic control if not specified in contracts.

Commissioners discussed enforcement of contract requirements and the city’s curb/driveway restoration ordinance, including whether it applies to city projects as well as private projects. They also described a road‑assessment tool under consideration that uses mobile drives to catalog pavement condition, manholes and signs; staff said the tool would produce street‑quality reports to support a prioritized maintenance plan and that streets like Tamarack and Long Street will require more than resurfacing and likely need rebuilding.

Next steps: staff will follow up with the contractor on traffic management and with public works on a prioritized road maintenance plan; the commission suggested the council revisit the in‑kind restoration ordinance to clarify application to city projects.