Council authorizes bidding for roughly $7.3M North Area sewer and water project (Res. 2026-009)

The City Council approved plan approval and authorized advertisement for bids for the North Area utility improvements project (Resolution 2026-009), a sanitary‑sewer and water extension that staff described as covering Clear Water Road, much of North Lindale and Brentwood Drive.

Staff said the project’s all‑in cost is roughly $7.3 million. According to staff, the assessed portion is about $1,762,000 (roughly 24%), leaving a city share of about $5.5 million. The resolution authorizes plan approval, advertisement for bids with a March 3 bid opening, and anticipates an assessment hearing on April 9 and construction in spring if timetables hold.

Council members asked operational and policy questions including whether cul‑de‑sac centers could be reduced to pervious surfaces or grass (to save pavement), how assessments and the CIP (capital improvement program) figures are being tracked, and whether right‑of‑way and easement offers were finalized. Staff said cul‑de‑sac geometry and utility layouts will be evaluated for feasibility, that right‑of‑way offers have been made and negotiations are ongoing, and that condemnation remains an option to keep the project on schedule.

One council member said they would not support moving forward until they received the CIP report showing funding priorities; staff responded that funding breakdowns (collector roads, sales tax and other sources) were included in prior documents associated with the ordering of improvement. Despite the objection, the consent agenda motion that included the resolution was moved and carried; the transcript does not include a roll‑call tally.

The project materials were on the consent agenda alongside the FOG program update and related manuals. Next procedural steps identified by staff were the March 3 bid opening and April 9 assessment hearing.