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Monticello Council backs shallower alignment for Fallon Avenue utility extension
Summary
At a June 8 special meeting the Monticello City Council reached consensus to advance a shallower gravity-sewer alignment (Option 2) for the Fallon Avenue Utility Extension, citing lower costs, shorter timelines and reduced business impacts while preserving gravity service for most planned growth areas.
The Monticello City Council on June 8 reviewed a 30% design for the Fallon Avenue Utility Extension and agreed to advance a shallower gravity-sewer alignment to extend water and sewer from Chelsea Road to Fallon Drive and to provide a connection to a planned water treatment plant.
Public Works Director and City Engineer Matt Leonard presented two primary alignment options for sanitary sewer service. He told the council the original deep trunk sewer alignment would maximize gravity service to the growth area but require excavation depths of up to 45 feet, with greater construction impacts and higher costs. By contrast, he said Option 2 — a shallower alignment — would shorten construction timelines, reduce impacts to businesses along Fallon Avenue and lower project costs while still providing gravity service to much of the planned development area.
"The proposed water main extension would provide a key connection to the future water treatment plant," Leonard said, and he recommended continuing the overall gravity-sewer approach while further evaluating the shallower alignment as design work advances. Leonard also reviewed a previously studied force-main alternative that would rely on a large lift station to pump wastewater north; he said that option, while potentially less expensive initially, would be inconsistent with the City's long-term utility-planning goals, increase operating and maintenance costs, and reduce the value of prior gravity-sewer investments.
Finance Director Sarah Rathlisberger told the council the project had been moved forward in the city's Capital Improvement Plan because of anticipated growth tied to the Haven Ridge, Meadowbrook and Tamarack developments. Rathlisberger said advancing the project now will help ensure adequate utility capacity for planned residential growth.
Council members did not take a formal roll-call vote at the special meeting; after discussion they indicated consensus to proceed with Option 2, the shallower alignment, and directed staff to continue design work and evaluate the shallower profile in more detail. The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Next steps: staff will continue design evaluation of the shallower alignment and return to the council with refined recommendations and cost estimates as design progresses.
