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City manager outlines dock, water, stormwater, communications and meter pilot plans
Summary
City Manager Heidi updated the council on multiple capital efforts: Jackalof Bay dock procurement and grant-funded work, a raw water transmission project entering construction, Main Street stormwater planning, a hydrology grant resubmission, cybersecurity work for water systems, and a 10-meter water‑meter pilot.
City Manager Heidi delivered an extended report on April 13 summarizing capital projects, grant applications and operational pilots that staff expect to advance in 2026.
On harbor work, the manager said the Jackalof Bay dock contract was in final review and the RFP for the dock replacement (authorized on the consent agenda) closes May 15. She also said the city received a Denali Commission matching award for the dock and that staff expect procurement activity in the coming weeks.
On utilities, staff submitted the 95% design for the raw water transmission line to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and said construction work is scheduled to begin in May when ferry operations permit access. The manager said the city received material and was staging for near‑term field work.
Stormwater planning for Main Street North and South is underway with consultants (Aqua and HDR); given DOT requirements and funding limits the city will prioritize purchases and construction on Main Street South while pursuing additional funds to complete Main Street North.
The manager reported the city’s repeater and two‑way radio communications were back online following repairs on the Homer side and that staff are evaluating a move to the state tower system. A cybersecurity scope of work to integrate the water treatment plant and critical systems was also under consideration.
On smaller programs, the city plans a water‑meter pilot of about 10 meters to gather usage data; the manager described the pilot as voluntary, with no immediate billing change proposed and any broader decisions to return to council. She also described continuing work on a hydrology and wetlands assessment pre-application to the National Coastal Resilience Fund and a notice-of-interest to a building-resilience grant opportunity for the dam.
The city manager closed by noting staff will continue to return to council with procurement results, contract execution updates and grant application outcomes.
