The Board of Public Works met on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 10:00 AM in City Hall Council Chambers. All five members were present. The board approved several routine items, referred one street privilege permit for further review, and held a work session on the 2027-2031 Capital Equipment Budget.
Street Privilege Permit – Tasos Psomas (26-0216): The board discussed a permit request for signs over right-of-way at 200 6th Street South. Director Gallagher expressed concern that portions around pillars or columns might violate site triangle requirements. The board voted unanimously to refer the item to the March 2, 2026 meeting for further review.
2027-2031 Capital Equipment Budget Work Session (26-0134): The board held a work session to review capital equipment requests. Finance department representative Dan explained that the board is to approve the capital equipment portion of the Capital Improvement Plan, with a recommended budget due to the Finance and Personnel Committee by April 1. Dan noted that 68% of funding is from general obligation debt, with other sources including enterprise funds, the general fund operating budget, and a local grant from the county for radio contracts. The total new borrowing is approximately $12.2 million ($4.9 million for equipment, $7.2 million for projects). Mayor Shaundel indicated that the overall CIP borrowing target is being lowered from about $15 million last year to around $13 million this year.
Department heads presented their requests:
Board members asked clarifying questions, including Councilmember Goggin requesting a cost-benefit analysis on the audio-visual upgrade. No action was taken; this was an informational work session with additional meetings planned.
Call this meeting to order at 10 01 a.m. on Monday, February 23rd. Let the record reflect that all Board of Public Work Members are present, and Director Gallagher is joining us virtually. Now I'll take a motion to approve the minutes from February 16, 2026. Motion made by Council President Dickinson, second by Director Train. Any discussion or corrections? Seeing none, please vote. And that motion passes unanimously. Moving to our second agenda item 260115 construction contract final payments. All right. So there's one payment for our construction contract final payments. Is there a motion or questions? Director Trey? Just for clarification, this says bidder's proof of responsibility, but I think we skip that and we're on construction contract final payments. Yes. So we'll do the construction contract final payments and then go back to the bidder's proof of responsibility. Still just one contract, right? All right. Motion to approve by Director Train. Is there a second? Second by Council President Dickinson. Any questions or discussion? All right. Seeing none, please vote. All right, going back up to the agenda 25166. Bidder's proof of responsibility. And for this one, we have one contractor. Bernie Buckner Inc. out of Lacrosse for 7 million 183,992 for HVAC and plumbing. All right, thank you. Motion to approve by Director Train. Is there a second? Second by Council President Dickinson. Any discussion or questions? All right. Seeing none, please vote. And that motion passes unanimously. Next agenda item 260208. Um construction contract change orders. Yeah, I can't see any. So I'm assuming there's none. Okay, thank you. All right. Moving to our next agenda item 260216. Tows' Pisimos. I don't know how to do the street privilege permit uh request for signs over right-of-way at 206th Street South. Can staff come and uh talk about this. Okay. Council President Dickinson. My question is it's obvious in the notes, but could you explain what they're adding here?