Lonsdale City Council adopts 2026 fee schedule, signs off on City Hall final payment and several infrastructure projects

The Lonsdale City Council on Jan. 8, 2026 voted 5-0 to adopt Ordinance 2026-336, a revised 2026 fee schedule, and to approve several contract and project actions including final payment for the City Hall project and authorization to bid a 2026 mill-and-overlay street program.

City Administrator Joel A. Erickson presented the changes to the fee schedule, saying the updates were aimed at covering costs and aligning staff rates with a recent compensation study. Key changes included increasing water meter costs, raising inspection fees to $95 per hour (to match the Metro West contract), adding a $100 penalty for failing to obtain a right-of-way permit, and increasing staff hourly rates by 7.6% to reflect COLA and the compensation study. Erickson told the council three edits were made after the packet went out: the Illegal Dumping fine was raised to $2,000 for a first offense, the Chicken Permit fee was clarified, and the Erosion Control violation fee was increased.

"Every single new home construction site violates erosion control measures," Erickson said, drawing attention to enforcement questions. Mayor Tom Berg supported the higher Illegal Dumping fine and urged clearer signage at the Compost Site. Councilmembers expressed concerns about permit fees for small plastic sheds and whether sign replacement fees were necessary when businesses are investing in improvements.

The council then approved Application for Payment No. 7 (Final) to Met-Con Construction, Inc. in the amount of $55,226.49, representing project retainage and two change orders. Erickson said the building has been occupied since May and that a one-year walkthrough will be scheduled for late March or early April. He also reported there were six change orders totaling $24,007.59 (about 2.4% of the original bid) and that the total project cost for reconstruction, remodel and property purchase was $3,204,051.91. The motion to approve the final payment passed 5-0 (mover: Scott Pelava; seconder: James Vosejpka).

Council approved a Bolton & Menk proposal for design and construction administration/observation for the Bixby Development lift station to include a wet well and valve vault. Erickson said the firm’s proposal was presented with a not-to-exceed figure of $63,300.00, and council discussion noted the developer questioned the need for both structures. City Engineer Jason Malecha and Public Works staff recommended retaining both elements for consistency with the city's other lift station; Malecha said the lift station could be sized to serve an adjacent one-acre parcel but that connecting that parcel would present challenges. The motion to approve the design agreement passed unanimously; the motion as recorded in the minutes lists the approved amount as $63,000.99 (mover: Scott Pelava; seconder: Brian Wermerskirchen).

Malecha also presented plans and specifications for the city’s 2026 Mill and Overlay project covering portions of 8th Avenue NW, Singing Hills Drive and Woodridge Court SE, and described two bid alternates. Staff said the project will be advertised Feb. 3 and 10, bids opened Feb. 17, and an award is planned for the Feb. 26 council meeting. The council authorized staff to bid the project; available budget cited in the discussion was $214,500. The motion to authorize bidding passed 5-0 (mover: Scott Pelava; seconder: Kari Miller).

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 2026-336 (2026 Fee Schedule) — approved 5-0; Application for Payment No. 7 to Met-Con Construction, Inc. ($55,226.49) — approved 5-0; Bolton & Menk design proposal for Bixby lift station (proposal presented NTE $63,300.00; approved as recorded at $63,000.99) — approved 5-0; Authorization to advertise/bid 2026 Mill & Overlay project — approved 5-0.

The council’s next procedural steps include scheduling the City Hall one-year walkthrough for late March or early April and soliciting bids for the mill-and-overlay project. The council also signaled continued follow-up with the developer on cost-sharing and developer reimbursement for lift station-related expenses.