Lennox council approves amended capital improvement plan targeting gravel streets, sewer repairs and multi-use trail

The Lennox City Council on Tuesday approved an amended Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that reprioritizes 13 projects to address gravel streets, drainage and sanitary sewer deficiencies and extend a multi-use trail.

Mitch of consulting firm Stockwell outlined the plan, saying the list is intended as a multiyear framework focusing first on gravel streets and critical drainage work. "We feel pretty solid on on the next 3 years, the direction that we think, the city wants to head," Mitch said. The plan identifies projects including Royal Avenue (targeted for 2026), major work on 4th Avenue and a Central Basin continuation, Northeast Basin and a Cleveland Multi-Use Trail intended to tie into Long Creek and 4th Avenue.

Council members sought clarity on cost and timing. One member, reciting the staff estimates, summarized the near-term totals: "If I just kinda added up '27, '28, '29, it's, like, 9,500,000, 10,500,000, 8,000,000 — so it's, like, 28,000,000 over 3 years," and warned about the potential impact on utility rates. Nate, a city staff member participating by phone, said the city should retain flexibility in funding: "I'd prefer some flexibility in that given how things have changed," he said, adding that funding mechanisms and grant availability will be developed on a project-by-project basis.

Staff emphasized that the map and schedule are goals rather than guarantees: projects will require separate authorization to advertise, award contracts and accept funding. Several projects will need coordination with property owners for construction easements and with state agencies for timing (for example, tying a water-main extension to a planned SD DOT project).

Council moved, seconded and approved the amended CIP. The council directed staff to return with detailed funding proposals, rate analyses where sewer or water costs are involved, and grant-application strategies for priority projects. The plan will be revisited annually and prior to each project’s design and bid phase.

The council also heard a public question from resident Jim Tibbitt about the trail and storm-drain routing; Mitch said the staff-preferred alignment is on the east side of Cleveland Avenue but final routing will be determined by survey and property-owner negotiations.

Next steps: staff will prepare project-specific funding packages and rate-impact analyses for council review before any construction contracts are awarded.