Board of Public Works Meeting – September 28, 2026

The Board of Public Works met at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers on September 28, 2026, to consider a range of routine approvals, a new overnight parking restriction, resolutions for utility equipment and funding, and a quarterly business services update with two rate-related actions. All votes were unanimous (5‑0).

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes – The minutes of September 21, 2026, were approved (motion by Trane, second by Dickinson).
• 25‑1199: Bidder’s Proof of Responsibility – Approved without discussion (motion by Goggin, second by Dickinson).
• 26‑1013: Construction Contract Final Payments – Approved without discussion (motion by Gallager, second by Dickinson).

Discussion Items

• 26‑1018: No Overnight Parking at Eagle Watch Lot – The board established a restriction on overnight parking (10 PM to 6 AM) at the Eagle Watch public parking lot (2600 block of Rose Street). Staff explained the change, requested by the police department, aims to improve safety after incidents of late‑night motorcycle gatherings, racing, and a fatal crash. Council President Dickinson noted a recent fatality as an example. The restriction is consistent with other city facilities.
• 26‑1019: Approval of TID 11 Funds for Water & Street Department – The board approved using TID 11 funds to replace 10 ADA‑compliant bubbler water fountains (part of a prior council‑approved project). Staff clarified that the work will be done in‑house by the water utility and street department, at a cost significantly lower than originally budgeted. Coordination with upcoming state construction on 3rd and 4th Streets was discussed.
• 26‑0968: Sanitary Sewer Easements for Sunset Lane Project – A resolution of necessity authorizing the acquisition of easements (potentially via eminent domain) for a sanitary sewer extension serving three lots north of Sunset Lane. Staff explained the lots need reconnection after a demolition; the new main would run through the rear of the properties.
• 26‑0970: Reallocation of Unused Capital Funds for Forklift – The board approved reallocating funds from completed capital purchases to buy a propane‑powered forklift for the water utility’s new building. Staff indicated this would allow safe indoor maneuvering (unlike the existing wheel loader) and that purchasing now saved $2,500 and 13 weeks of lead time.
• 26‑0991: Repurpose Three Fleet Trucks as Light Duty Vehicles – Rather than selling three aging trucks (≈10 years old, >120,000 miles each) through the normal cycle, the board approved retaining them for lighter tasks such as flushing and valve turning. Staff estimated retaining each truck costs $4,000/year in maintenance versus $2,000/month rental if they were sold, making retention more cost‑effective.
• 26‑0992: Unencumbered Funds for 16th & State Streets Scope Change – The board approved adding unencumbered CIP funds to construct a raised intersection at 16th and State Streets this year, leveraging a bid that came in under budget and avoiding future rework.
• 25‑1453: Utilities Business Services Quarterly Update (Presentation) – Staff presented the September 2026 quarterly report, which covered a new online water rate comparison calculator (launching in weeks), software improvements to replace a 1998 billing system (go‑live July 2027), and a detailed explanation of how sewer, stormwater, and water rates are set and approved. Key statistics included:
  • $620 billion estimated need over 20 years for water infrastructure and another $620 billion for wastewater nationwide.
  • Approximately $11,500 per week spent on chemicals to meet low‑level phosphorus requirements at the wastewater treatment plant.
  • The water utility’s last rate case (authorized by the PSC) took effect October 1, 2026; the earliest eligibility for an inflationary adjustment is May 1, 2028.
• 26‑1014: Sewer Rate Study and Annual Adjustment – Staff presented two requests related to the sewer utility:
  1. Approval of a 4% sewer utility rate adjustment based on the June‑to‑June CPI, with an effective date of either December 1, 2026 or January 1, 2027, to align with Clean Water Fund loan requirements.
  2. Authorization to engage Trilogy Consulting for a comprehensive sewer rate study, using two years of post‑upgrade operational data, with results to be brought back to the board in 2027. Both items were approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All agenda items were approved unanimously (5‑0).
• The board approved the sewer rate study (motion by Gallager, second by Dickinson) and the 4% annual sewer rate adjustment (motion by Gallager, second by Dickinson).
• The next meeting will likely receive the sewer study findings in 2027.