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Detroit Lakes council authorizes engineering study for 270th Avenue sewer-water extension; accepts low bids for subdivision street projects
Summary
City engineers explained development-driven sewer and water needs on 270th Avenue and council authorized a preliminary engineering report; council also accepted low bids from RL Larson Excavating on two street-and-utility projects and set a June hearing on assessments.
The Detroit Lakes City Council voted to authorize a preliminary engineering report to evaluate extending sewer and water down 270th Avenue after staff said new development and a failing septic made the extension timely.
“...that was going to be developed,” city engineer John Pratt said, describing recent property sales and annexations that renew the need to extend infrastructure. Pratt told the council that one in‑city house has a failing drain field and that staff want to avoid installing a new septic system only to replace it when sewer arrives.
The council considered resolution 20250513 and approved a motion to authorize the preliminary engineering report, which is the first step to determine project scope, costs and schedule. Depending on the report, staff said they may move quickly this year to complete the infrastructure extension.
Separately, the council accepted low bids for public‑works contracts: RL Larson Excavating of St. Cloud was recommended and awarded the contract for phase one of the Southwood Shores subdivision street and utility improvement project at $1,071,618, and the low bid for the Forest Street and utility improvement project (just over $1.2 million) was likewise accepted. Pratt reported five bids on each project and said the low bids came in roughly 20% below estimate, which will reduce special assessments and the city’s share. The council ordered preparation of the assessment roll and set a public hearing on the proposed assessments for the June council meeting.
“The bids came in pretty significantly below estimate, somewhere around a little over 20% below the project estimate,” Pratt said, noting that will lower assessments.
Next steps: staff will complete the preliminary engineering report for 270th Avenue, bring assessment details to the June meeting and proceed with contract administration for the awarded projects.
