Grant City Council approves $25,000 for preliminary engineering of CASA 12 trail

The Grant City Council voted to allocate $25,000 for preliminary engineering on the CASA 12 trail improvements, a project intended to create a safer walk and bike route to Mamedai (Monameidi) School and to connect nearby trails. City Engineer Brad Reesec told the council the project secured a $75,000 Safe Routes to School grant and consists of two segments: a short connector from the school entrance and a south‑side segment along 75th Street that would fall under the city’s responsibility. Reesec said the county’s cost estimate lists about $183,000 in engineering costs and roughly $555,500 in construction costs, and identified a $200,000 retaining wall and about $100,000 in drainage work as major cost drivers.

Reesec said the county offered to phase the work, with the first phase a 30–60% preliminary design led by the county to refine alignments and reduce cost uncertainty. If the council funds the full engineering estimate, the city’s share would be about $90,000; the $25,000 approved covers the preliminary design and would be applied toward later engineering if the project proceeds.

Council members discussed funding options, noting the city budget includes partnership funds (roughly $30,000 budgeted in 2025 and $50,000 in a draft 2026 budget) and that small county grant awards (typically $5,000–$10,000 per cycle) could be applied for in future cycles. Staff advised the Nov. 1 grant cycle deadline and the council directed staff to apply for available grants. A motion to approve the $25,000 allocation and to pursue grant applications was moved, seconded and approved by roll‑call vote with Council members Cornet, Cremona, Anderson, Rob and the mayor voting in favor.

The council’s approval enables the county to begin preliminary engineering work; staff said construction is unlikely before 2027 and future council action will be required for additional city expenditures.