Granite Falls council approves $23,000 hydro plant change order, extends hayland lease and orders inspections

Granite Falls — The City Council voted to approve multiple infrastructure and property actions at its meeting, including a $23,000 change order to reinforce a bowing downstream wall at the city's hydro plant and a three-year extension of a hayland lease for Blaine Weber.

City staff reported that contractors found concrete blocks in the hydro plant wall already filled rather than hollow as initially estimated and recommended a structural reinforcement plan involving additional concrete and anchoring. Chris, who presented the project update, said the preferred long-term reinforcement would add about $23,000 to the project and that the city would draw that overage from reserves. Council approved the change order by voice vote.

Why it matters: staff framed the work as addressing moisture and structural issues behind the wall and said the reinforcement option would reduce future maintenance and risk compared with spot repairs.

Council also addressed several land and contract items. Staff described differing per-acre rates between farmland leased near the airport and other city cropland; the council approved a three-year extension with Blaine Weber at $62 per acre for his hayland parcel and agreed to give notice that remaining cropland leases will be rebid in mid-2026. Councilmembers debated whether to standardize per-acre rates but settled on leaving current terms in place for 2026 and reopening bids the following year.

The council approved continuation of the city's current snow-removal contractor after staff noted rising fuel and equipment costs but emphasized a positive working relationship and reliable service.

On housing and public-safety matters, the council authorized building inspections at two properties damaged by recent fires — 187 Baldwin and 492 Apprentice — after staff reported rodent infestation, mold and other hazards at 187 Baldwin. Council discussed that if abatement becomes necessary and the city incurs removal costs, those charges can be assessed to the parcel as a special assessment and that the city does not assume ownership of the land.

Other business included an informational update from the airport commission about a draft master plan and tenant patio installations at EDA apartments. The council rescheduled a street-vacation hearing because the legal description was not published in time; the hearing was moved to November 17 to meet statutory notice requirements.

Votes at a glance: council approved the consent agenda, the hydro-plant change order (additional $23,000 from reserves), a resolution to extend Blaine Weber's hayland lease for three years at $62 per acre, continuation of the snow-removal contract, rescheduling of the street-vacation hearing to November 17, and ordered inspections for 187 Baldwin and 492 Apprentice. Most votes were taken by voice with no roll-call tallies recorded in the transcript.

What’s next: staff will confirm contractor cost details on the hydro-plant work and proceed with the change order; staff will issue notice and schedule rebids for cropland leases in mid-2026. The inspections will proceed under the city’s nuisance and building-code processes.