Council holds public hearing on 1st Avenue Southeast street improvements, postpones final vote

City staff presented a proposed project to repair and upgrade 1st Avenue Southeast — from Wood Street to Fourth Street SE — but the council postponed final action so a full body could vote.

Staff member Greg described the plan at the Feb. 17 Little Falls City Council meeting, saying the project combines a full reconstruction (curb, gutter, sidewalk and deeper pavement) between First and Second streets with mill-and-overlay work on adjacent blocks, plus ADA ramp upgrades and storm-sewer adjustments. According to the presentation, the total project construction estimate and associated contingency and professional fees amount to roughly $1.1 million; staff said the city would absorb most of the surface-improvement costs while private property assessments would be limited to the reconstruction block.

The city’s proposed assessment structure assigns a total assessment role of about $29,022 for the reconstruction portion, with the city picking up $10,883 for two parking-lot parcels and the remaining $18,139 split among affected private property owners, Greg said. He also noted the project’s timeline: design in February, bid advertising in March, bid opening in April, construction in spring–summer 2026 and a final assessment hearing in September–October with construction complete in fall 2026.

At the public hearing Dorothy Bon, representing the Great River Arts Association, said she received a notice with a figure listed as $7,255.50 and asked whether the organization would face an assessment. Greg responded that because the arts association sits west of First Street — a sector slated for mill-and-overlay rather than reconstruction — it would not be assessed, though limited curb/ramp work may occur at nearby intersections.

Council members questioned funding sources and whether the project would affect future levies. Greg said the city would use a mix of state aid, utility funds and the city’s street-improvement reserve; staff emphasized the mill-and-overlay portions would be paid from the street-improvement fund and should not affect levy rates in later years.

Council member Meyer moved to postpone final action until a future meeting when a full council could take the required affirmative vote; council member Glaze seconded and the motion carried. The postponement preserves the public hearing record while delaying any assessment determinations or contract approvals until the full voting membership is present.

Next steps announced by staff call for completing design, bidding the work and returning to council for the final assessment hearing in the fall. The date for the resumed consideration was not set at the meeting.