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Council debates Mill Street watermain as county trail project nears; moves to gather resident interest
Summary
City engineers told the Council that adding a watermain alongside a 2026 county Mill Street trail project would save $200k–$300k but could cost property owners $16,000–$60,000 to connect. Councilmembers split on timing and policy; the Council tabled a decision and asked staff to survey residents and return data within weeks.
City Engineer Budde told the Shorewood City Council on April 14 that Hennepin County’s Mill Street Trail design is about 60% complete and scheduled for bidding in late 2025, presenting a narrow window to add a watermain while the road is reconstructed.
Budde laid out estimated costs and impacts: the City could save an estimated $200,000–$300,000 by doing the watermain in coordination with the County, the City’s per‑service stub cost would be about $29,200, and a typical homeowner’s cost to connect from the right‑of‑way into a home would likely range "from sixteen thousand dollars to sixty thousand dollars," he said. Budde also said Chanhassen water has confirmed adequate supply capacity for these homes.
Why it matters: the corridor includes roughly 25 parcels with aging private wells (many about 40 years old); installing mains during a full road reconstruction is substantially cheaper than retrofitting later. Mayor Jennifer Labadie highlighted fire‑safety benefits if hydrants are added, noting that without hydrants the fire department may rely on tanker operations at some addresses.
Council debate centered on timing, cost allocation and policy. Councilmember Maddy argued the City should capitalize on the County project and install pipe where roads will be dug, framing it as a one‑time cost opportunity that supports long‑term resiliency and fewer private wells. Councilmember Sanschagrin questioned the cost‑benefit without clearer resident interest and asked staff to determine how many properties would actually hook up; he noted he had spoken with Councilmember DiGruttolo and expected she would be skeptical without more data.
Finance Director Schmuck told the Council a financial management consultant will deliver a 10‑year model (status quo and variant scenarios) by late June or early July to help show long‑term Water Fund impacts and rate implications. Budde estimated a four‑to‑six‑week window to collect community input and return to the Council before County design deadlines require a decision.
Immediate action: the Council voted to table the Mill Street watermain decision and reconvene the Work Session after the regular Council meeting for further discussion. Staff were directed to begin resident outreach and compile specific figures requested by Council members, including hookup interest, likely insurance and property‑value effects, fire hydrant spacing and CIP impacts.
No final decision on construction or cost allocation was made at the April 14 meeting; staff will return with additional information for Council consideration.
