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Canton outlines $16.38 million street and utility project; officials warn utility rates may rise
Summary
At its Nov. 12 meeting the Canton City Council received details on a phased street and utility overhaul estimated at $16,383,000, funded largely by USDA Rural Development grants and a low-interest loan; officials said utility rates will need to be adjusted to cover the utility portion of the work.
Mayor Kristy Ziegler told the Canton City Council on Nov. 12 that the city is planning a multi-year street and utility improvement project to address an aging well, water tower, water main, sanitary sewer and the wastewater treatment facility. "This project will address our aging well, water tower, water main, sanitary sewer, and make updates to our wastewater treatment facility," Ziegler said.
Clerk Anne Koliha outlined funding the council expects to rely on: two USDA Rural Development grants totaling $10,983,000, a Rural Development low-interest loan of $3,741,000 amortized over 40 years, and $1,659,000 from the City, for a combined estimated project cost of $16,383,000. Fillmore County will pay for its portion of County Road 21 reconstruction, Koliha said.
Officials described a phased construction schedule. The west side of Main Street is slated for work in 2026 with a first layer of asphalt and the second layer in 2027; the east side is planned for a first layer in 2027 and the final layer in 2028. Main Street is a county project scheduled to replace sidewalk, curb and gutter and storm sewer; city streets will be rebuilt as 24-foot-wide asphalt in approximately the same locations, but curb and gutter or sidewalks are not part of the city street work except where Main Street overlaps.
City staff warned residents about likely temporary disruptions, including altered driveway access, changes to mail delivery and garbage pickup locations, and use of temporary water service. The minutes say temporary service lines "will bypass the meter so utility bills will be calculated using the average usage of previous months." Only trees directly affected by construction will be removed at no cost to owners, and homeowners who want wider driveways or paving must pay private contractors and expenses.
Koliha said the City finished a lead service line inventory with WHKS and has submitted the final report to the Minnesota Department of Health; notification letters will be sent to property owners with lead or galvanized lines. The council authorized WHKS to submit water tower repainting documents to USDA Rural Development for review on a separate motion at the meeting.
Next steps identified in the meeting minutes include beginning easement work needed for the project and contacting specific property owners about utility easements. The minutes also note a joint meeting with the Mabel-Canton School Board and Mabel City Council scheduled for Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. at Mabel-Canton High School Science Room #50 to discuss related matters.
