City staff outline full reconstruction of 8th Avenue South and funding that will include special assessments

Jason Leonard, a city staff member who opened an informational meeting for improvement district b r 26 d 1, outlined plans to reconstruct 8th Avenue South from 4th Street to the cul‑de‑sac and described the work as "a full roadway reconstruction." He said the project will include water main replacement, water service replacement to the curb stop valve box, sanitary sewer main spot repairs and replacements, sanitary sewer service replacement to about 5 feet behind the back of curb, new storm sewer pipes, new inlets and leads, driveway approaches up to the sidewalk, and sidewalk replacement.

The city plans to advertise bids on June 17 with a likely contractor start in August; the contract is set up for 60 calendar days for completion from the start date. Leonard said the estimated construction cost is $967,524.13 and that with fees and contingency the total is "a little over $1,200,000." Funding will come from five sources: stormwater utility (~1.5%), wastewater utility (29.3%), water utility (31.6%), sales tax (18.7%), and special assessments (18.9%), which staff estimated at roughly $231,000 of the project cost.

Staff described how construction will affect residents: north‑side residents must place garbage cans at the end of their driveways so the contractor can move them to 4th Street for pickup and return them afterward; south‑side properties served from the alley will see no change to alley pickup. Pedestrian access will be maintained on one side of the block at all times. Temporary water pipes will be installed to keep water service to properties, and Leonard said contractors will need access to an exterior water spigot and will reconnect or switch meters inside homes so water can be back‑fed during construction.

The meeting detailed which costs may be assessed to property owners under the special assessment funding policy. Leonard said water main and water service replacement are capped at $46.38 per front foot and that sanitary sewer replacement is capped at $46.38 per front foot; sanitary sewer service replacement carries no assessment. He said storm sewer work will be split 50% special assessed and 50% city funded, while street lights carry no assessment to owners. Paving assessment rates provided were $98.53 per front foot for single‑family and MR tier 1 (1–3 units) and $150.70 per front foot for MR tier 2 (4–12 units). Leonard noted driveway widening that complies with city ordinance will add cost to the property owner and that forms are available at the meeting and will be on site during construction with inspectors and the project manager.

Leonard closed by inviting questions; the informational meeting ended after the presentation and a brief public question period.