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Bayport staff say sewer lining grant approved; Excel Energy plans large overhead-to-underground conversion
Summary
Public works reported a Met Council sewer lining grant (city estimate ~$500,000; expected Met Council reimbursement roughly $143,000) and described Excel Energy’s planned citywide overhead-to-underground conversion, which the company said could start as early as Q4 2026 and offers homeowners a no-cost underground service install but an expected $2,000 electrician conversion cost.
Bayport — At its March 2 meeting, Bayport’s public works director updated the council on a newly awarded Met Council municipal grant for sewer main lining and described a major Excel Energy overhead-to-underground conversion planned for later this year.
Public works director Hansen said the city’s project is estimated at about $500,000. “Grant eligibility is $286,000 and our reimbursement amount that we’ll get from the Met Council is roughly $143,000,” Hansen said, and staff expects eligible work to begin in January of the year and be completed by December 2027 with reimbursement issued after project completion.
Hansen also reported that a solar array contractor at the fire station did not pass its final inspection; staff are coordinating with Excel to reschedule the required testing.
On the Excel Energy conversion project, Hansen described it as the company’s largest overhead-to-underground conversion in Bayport history and said Excel will offer to install underground services from the right-of-way to individual homes at no cost, estimating a value above $5,000 per property. Homeowners who choose to participate would remain responsible for hiring a licensed electrician to convert their service at an approximate cost of $2,000; staff said a resident who declines conversion during the initial utility project could pay later if they request conversion after the utility work is done, with a combined estimated cost near $7,000.
Hansen told the council the timeline is preliminary and that Excel Energy representatives could be invited to present to the council and to residents at a future meeting or open forum.
Next steps: staff will continue grant administration and coordinate with Excel Energy on public outreach and construction phasing.
