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Berne council authorizes engineering fees for Van Beerren Street stormwater work tied to grant application
Summary
Council approved engaging Commonwealth Engineering to begin stormwater design on Van Beerren Street so the town can include the work in a 2026 Community Crossings grant; council asked staff to confirm it will not duplicate costs already approved in the long‑term control plan.
The Berne City Council authorized engaging Commonwealth Engineering to begin design work for a stormwater project on Van Beerren Street so the town can include the work in its Community Crossings grant application for 2026.
City staff told the council the sewer project on Van Beerren Street will tear up the street and that performing stormwater and sidewalk design now would allow the town to combine the work in a grant application. Staff said engineering fees for the stormwater design would be paid from the stormwater utility; engineering fees are not eligible for reimbursement under the Community Crossings grant, the presenter explained.
Council members asked for confirmation that the new engineering would not duplicate design tasks covered by prior approvals. “I don’t want to pay twice for a design,” one council member said, noting the town previously approved roughly $2.3 million in soft costs tied to the long‑term control plan. Staff responded that the sewer project and the proposed stormwater project are separate and offered to confirm with the engineering firm.
Curtis moved to authorize engaging Commonwealth Engineering for the design work; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. Council directed staff to check for overlap with previously approved fees and to return with any necessary clarifications.
