Utilities Commission Meeting

UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, August 02, 2023 at 5:30 PM Baxter City Hall, 13190 Memorywood Drive, Baxter, MN “A Growing Community” CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Baxter Utilities Commission was called to order at 5:35 p.m. by Rock Yliniemi. ROLL CALL Members Present: Commissioner Jack Christofferson, Chairman Rock Yliniemi, and Council Liaison Mark Cross. Members Absent: Commissioners John Brenny and Douglas Stenberg. Staff Present: Public Works Director/City Engineer Trevor Walter, Assistant City Engineer Trevor Thompson, and Isaiah Escobedo with WSB helping with minutes. Other Present: Widseth consulting engineers Alex Bitter and Aric Welch, SEH consulting engineers Alex Voit and Neil, Bolton & Menk consulting engineer Bryan Drown, HR Green Consulting Engineers Bridget Osborn and Tyler Maxson, Eagle Drive Property Owner Randy Strange. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approve the Utilities Commission Minutes from July 6, 2023 MOTION made by Vice Chairman Christofferson, Seconded by Council Liaison Cross to Approve the Utilities Commission Minutes from July 6, 2023. Motion Carried Unanimously. BUSINESS ITEMS Public Comment: Randy Strange addressed the Utilities Commission regarding when municipal sanitary sewer and water will be extended to his property on Eagle Drive. Randy Strange has owned a lot on Eagle Drive for 20 years. Every year Mr. Strange inquires on when his property will receive city sewer and water. The estimated year for the utilities keeps getting pushed back as he is trying to build a house on the lot. Assistant City Engineer Trevor Thompson stated Randy has been calling him for the last 2-3 years asking about the sewer and water updates. Dating back to pre-recession, the improvements were listed in a CIP, MR. Thompson has made Mr. Strange aware that the city does not have an adopted Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) so the information provided is based on internal public works planning. After talking with Mr. Strange numerous times along with Public Works Director/City Engineer Trevor Walters and City Administrator Brad Chapulis it was recommended to have Mr. Strange attend the Utilities Commission meeting to address the commission. Mr. Thompson stated that most sewer and water calls go to him and there is one other property owner in the 8/2/2023 Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes Page 2 neighborhood that has met with the city planner to discuss splitting his property and he cannot do so until sewer and water are extended. Motion Made 30 years ago to get city water and sewer to all lots, the city is down to 5 existing areas in the city that need water and sewer. Public Works Director/City Engineer Trevor Walter stated it all comes down to financials and what the city can take on for projects, the city is subsidizing 60% of all sewer and water retrofit projects. Mr. Strange inquired on how many of the five areas are next to a body of water like Eagle drive is. Mr. Walter informed Mr. Strange that all but one area is next to a body of water of some sort. Councilmember Cross lives in that area. Randy has been informed that he has the right to petition his neighbors to see if they want to be included in city sewer/water. 2. Recommend Planning and Zoning Approve the El Tequila Patio Variance Assistant City Engineer Trevor Thompson informed the Utilities Commission that El Tequila wants a permanent patio located off the southeast corner of their building. The patio comes within the setback of the front lot line. The staff recommendation is that the variance is approved with the following conditions:  Require a Stormwater Facilities Maintenance Agreement prior to issuing a building permit for the patio per city code.  Require a 100-year stormwater design for all new impervious surface per city code.  Require a Sewer and Water Availability Charge redetermination on the entire site per city code. Council Liaison Mark Cross stated there is no distance listed for variance asked on drawing. Trevor Walter stated that he will talk to the Community Development Director Josh Doty about showing the variance distance. MOTION made by Council Liaison Cross, Seconded by Vice Chairman Christofferson to recommend Planning and Zoning Approve the El Tequila Patio Variance. Motion Carried Unanimously. 3. Accept the North Central Medical Supply Municipal Improvements as Outlined in the Development Agreement Assistant City Engineer Trevor Thompson stated North Central Medical Supply has completed their development agreement. Staff recommend accepting the municipal improvements and starting the 1-year warranty period. MOTION made by Council Liaison Cross, Seconded by Vice Chairman Christofferson to accept the North Central Medical Supply Municipal Improvements as Outlined in the Development Agreement. Motion Carried Unanimously. 4. Approve the El Tequila Stormwater Facilities Maintenance Agreement The Stormwater Facilities Maintenance Agreement is the standard agreement the City uses to meet the requirements of section 20.3 of the 2020 MS4 General Permit requirements. MOTION made by Vice Chairman Christofferson, Seconded by Council Liaison Cross to approve the El Tequila Stormwater Facilities Maintenance Agreement. Motion Carried Unanimously. 8/2/2023 Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes Page 3 5. 2022 Trunk Highway 210 & Inglewood Drive Railway Crossing Improvements Project Update - City of Baxter - Municipal Project No.: 4121 Consulting Engineer Drown gave an update on the project to the Utilities Commission. Rain has slowed down paving by a few days. Substantial completion is scheduled to be within the next two weeks. Complaint relayed by Jack Christofferson: Railroad crossing at Inglewood Drive headed south. Appears to be driver’s lane and unmarked lane to the right, it appears to be two lanes. It appears there is one lane marked at 12 feet, and one lane marked at 10 feet, Mr. Christofferson is not sure of the intention of the two lanes. Mr. Christofferson said he has received a couple of complaints and is inquiring if we can add another lane or add arrows to signal lanes going left and right. Public Works Director/City Engineer Trevor Walter said instead of an answer tonight, come to the next meeting with an answer to how to fix it and why it was designed this way. Table the discussion for the September meeting. 6. Approve the BNSF Invoice No. 90254823 in the amount of $3,817.53 for the 2022 TH 210 and Inglewood Drive Improvements Project Consulting Engineer Drown has no concerns with the invoice and recommended payment for flagging and materials. Mr. Drown informed the commission that BNSF was on site July 10 and 11 to do final crossover and will send those invoices in the future. MOTION made by Vice Chairman Christofferson, Seconded by Council Liaison Cross to approve the BNSF Invoice No. 90254823 in the amount of $3,817.53 for the 2022 TH 210 and Inglewood Drive Improvements Project. Motion Carried Unanimously. 7. Approve Anderson Brothers Construction Change Order No. 2 in the amount of $63,349.99 for 2022 Trunk Highway 210 & Inglewood Drive Railway Crossing Improvements Project Update - City of Baxter - Municipal Project No.: 4121 Consulting Engineer Drown presented the proposed change order and recommended approval. Change Order No. 2 includes removal of a gate valve in an area of Knollwood Drive that was removed south of the railroad tracks, additional concrete sawing, median removal, curb and gutter and concrete median for the WB TH 210 Left Turn Lane at Inglewood Drive, milling bituminous in the EB TH 210 right turn lane to Inglewood Drive to improve drainage, revising storm sewer castings on Inglewood Drive between TH 210 and Foley Road, and adding a concrete collar and stool grate to a catch basin located in green space. All items are available for state funding contingency for city of $2000 left. Public Works Director/City Engineer Trevor Walter stated they should not have anymore changes for city besides delineators; and he recommend approving. MOTION made by Vice Chairman Christofferson, Seconded by Council Liaison Cross to approve Anderson Brothers Construction Change Order No. 2 in the amount of $63,349.99. Motion Carried Unanimously. 8. Approve the Anderson Brothers Construction Partial Pay Estimate No. 7 in the amount of $375,037.17 for the 2022-23 TH 210 and Inglewood Drive Improvements Project, City Improvement No. 4121 8/2/2023 Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes Page 4 Consulting Engineer Drown stated there are no issues with partial pay estimate no. 7 as this is for work through July 10th. MOTION made by Vice Chairman Christofferson, Seconded by Council Liaison Cross to approve the Anderson Brothers Construction Partial Pay Estimate No. 7 in the amount of $375,037.17. Motion Carried Unanimously. 9. 2023 Cypress Drive and Douglas Fir Drive Improvements Project Monthly Update SEH Consulting Engineer Alex Voit gave a brief update on the 2023 Cypress Drive and Douglas Fir Drive Improvements Project. Work through July included non-wear course paving and finishing all sewer and water through phase 2. The next few weeks the contractor will put down gravel and get ready for curb and gutter. 10. Approve the Kraemer Trucking & Excavating, Inc Change Order No. 2 in the amount of $21,139.80 for the 2023 Cypress Drive and Douglas Fir Drive Improvements project SEH Consulting Engineer Alex Voit presented change order No. 2. Change Order No. 2 has three (3) Parts. Part 1 covers exploratory digging at and ahead of a planned hydrant relocation to facilitate the Berrywood Trail located on the north side of Hinckley Road east of Cypress Drive. This extra step was taken due to inconsistencies in existing record information and to minimize the temporary water shut down at the adjacent apartments. Part 2 covers construction of outside drops in sanitary manholes SS-2 & 3. Due to the excessive depth of the sanitary sewer manholes and the topography of the adjacent properties, outside drops were constructed in Manholes 2 & 3 to allow for the sewer services to the future apartment complexes to be installed at a reasonable depth. This is standard practice when the sanitary sewer main is deep. Part 3 covers existing catch basin repairs at the Douglas Fir Drive/ Hinckley Road intersection. The repairs included concrete/grouting of the top slab and grouting the inverts. MOTION made by Vice Chairman Christofferson, Seconded by Council Liaison Cross to approve the Kraemer Trucking & Excavating, Inc Change Order No. 2 in the amount of $21,139.80 for the 2023 Cypress Drive and Douglas Fir Drive Improvements project. Motion Carried Unanimously. 11. Approve the Kraemer Trucking & Excavating, Inc Partial Pay Estimate No. 3 in the amount of $924,946.24 for the 2023 Cypress Drive and Douglas Fir Drive Improvements project SEH Consulting Engineer Alex Voit explained partial pay estimate no. 3. Pay estimate No. 3 includes all work through July 14th. WiDSETH Consulting Engineer Bitter says there will be a Fee amendment within coming month to get through construction coming through widseth and SEH. The list of all items done and worked on will be included in that amendment. MOTION made by Vice Chairman Christofferson, Seconded by Council Liaison Cross to approve the Kraemer Trucking & Excavating, Inc Partial Pay Estimate No. 3 in the amount of $924,946.24 for the 2023 Cypress Drive and Douglas Fir Drive Improvements project. Motion Carried Unanimously. 8/2/2023 Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes Page 5 12. Approve the SEH Design Phase Services Contract in the Not to Exceed Amount of $451,295.00 for the 2024 South Forestview Improvements project SEH Consulting Engineer Alex Voit explained the SEH design phase services contract as it is for performing design services since the feasibility study and survey have been finished. This will include Design specs, public hearing, bidding, and ROW acquisition. Approval of the contract for design services will allow SEH to stay on schedule for construction next year. Public Works Director/City Engineer Trevor Walter informed the Commission that the Public Hearing will occur next week, and this information will be presented at the next Council Meeting under “Other Business” on the agenda. Vice Chairman Christofferson noted that this is for Design Fee only, not construction, Mr. Voit confirmed there are no construction services in the contract. Mr. Walter said the construction observation will depend on what contractor is awarded the project. The contract will be through openings of bid and awarding. MOTION made by Vice Chairman Christofferson, Seconded by Council Liaison Cross to approve the SEH Design Phase Services Contract in the Not to Exceed Amount of $451,295.00 for the 2024 South Forestview Improvements project. Motion Carried Unanimously. 13. Approve the Staff Recommendations for the Cypress Drive Mid-Block Pedestrian Crossing SEH Consulting Engineer Alex Voit gave a recommendation to restripe crosswalk, remove bike sign that was in the way of sight distance on Cypress Drive, and add in portable signs. Public Works Director/City Engineer Trevor Walter recommended installing the “State Law – Stop for Pedestrians Within Crosswalk” signs on centerline of the road, those signs are approximately $400 each, the total cost of the project is not priced out yet. Assistant City Engineer Trevor Thompson stated the recommendation is to replace signs with neon green when they are scheduled to be replaced. The signs are replaced every 12 years. Typically, all crosswalks are restriped every year, this year this crossing was not striped but will be included on the map for future years. MOTION made by Council Liaison Cross, Seconded by Vice Chairman Christofferson to approve the Staff Recommendations for the Cypress Drive Mid-Block Pedestrian Crossing. Motion Carried Unanimously. 14. 2023 Commercial and Residential Full Depth Reclamation and Quiet Zone Improvements Project Monthly Update SEH Consulting Engineer Alex Voit gave update on 2023 Commercial and Residential Full Depth Reclamation and Quiet Zone Improvements Project. Started work last month with underground utility work. Continue doing underground work for the next two weeks and start grading. 15. Approve the Anderson Brothers Construction Company of Brainerd, LLC Change Order No. 1 for the 2023 Commercial and Residential Full Depth Reclamation and Quiet Zone Improvements project SEH Consulting Engineer Alex Voit explained the issues with utility companies and presented change order No. 1. 8/2/2023 Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes Page 6 Change Order No. 1 covers a contract time extension request by the Contractor due to delays with private utility relocations and changed scope on elements of the municipal utility work along Clearwater Road related to added work and differing subsurface conditions, both in connection with the proposed trails, and both beyond the Contractor’s control. The Contractor has fallen behind on their schedule and has requested a time extension for substantial completion from September 15th to October 6, 2023. SEH and City Engineering Staff have discussed and determined that the request is justified. Public Works Director/City Engineer Trevor Walter stated, as of today all the utilities have not been moved to place storm and finish underground utilities. Crow Wing power is doing their best to move their stuff and has been keeping up but it has been a struggle to get the other private utility companies to relocate their infrastructure. Mr. Walter informed the Commission the locators have not located all utilities for South Forestview project even after several requests and multiple meetings. To move fire hydrant in SE corner of Inglewood Drive and Clearwater Road there are still two pedestals in the way. Trail grading is just starting because of utilities. Approval is recommended for moving completion date. MOTION made by Council Liaison Cross, Seconded by Vice Chairman Christofferson to approve the Anderson Brothers Construction Company of Brainerd, LLC Change Order No. 1 for the 2023 Commercial and Residential Full Depth Reclamation and Quiet Zone Improvements project. Motion Carried Unanimously. 16. Approve the Anderson Brothers Construction Company of Brainerd, LLC Partial Pay Estimate No. 1 in the amount of $78,866.39 for the 2023 Commercial and Residential Full Depth Reclamation and Quiet Zone Improvements Project SEH Consulting Engineer Alex Voit reviewed the Partial Pay Estimate and stated it covers all pay items through June 16th, mainly clearing and grubbing with a few hydrant relocations. MOTION made by Vice Chairman Christofferson, Seconded by Council Liaison Cross to approve the Anderson Brothers Construction Company of Brainerd, LLC Partial Pay Estimate No. 1 in the amount of $78,866.39 for the 2023 Commercial and Residential Full Depth Reclamation and Quiet Zone Improvements Project. Motion Carried Unanimously. 17. 2023 Knollwood Drive Improvements Project Monthly Update WiDSETH Consulting Engineer Alex Bitter provided an update. He stated there is still a little curb and gutter to piece in. The contractor is planning to pave the first two lifts next week. Rain washed out an existing storm structure and created a sinkhole. Knife river has stabilized area and will fix it. Public Works Director/City Engineer Trevor Walter said we need to check all storm structures for issues and problems. Mr. Walter stated water went through residents’ yard, near the garage with the large rain event on Tuesday. The property owner is wondering if a new catch basin is needed in the driveway and concerned about the repair since there were towels were stuffed into catch basin when fixing. Mr. Walter asked Mr. Bitter to go back and review the design and give an answer to the homeowner on why the driveway flooded. Vice Chairman Jack Christofferson asked if the inlet protection can cause flooding and if that can be relieved in periods of heavy rain. 8/2/2023 Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes Page 7 Mr. Bitter stated in emergency situations the catch basin inlet protection can be pulled to alleviate some issues. He said that some driveways have been washed out due to the rain. 18. Approve the Knife River Corporation – North Central Partial Pay Estimate No. 3 in the amount of $387,148.24 for the 2023 Knollwood Drive Improvements Project, Municipal Project Number 4132 Consulting Engineer Alex Bitter Gave update. On February 21, 2023, the City Council awarded the project to Knife River Corporation – North Central in the amount of $1,676,520.50. Article 15 of the Standard General Conditions of the Construction Contract outlines the process for making progress payments to the Contractor. Progress payments for unit price contracts are made based on the number of units completed during the pay period. The application is reviewed and approved by the Contractor and Engineer prior to submittal to the City for processing. Partial Pay Estimate No. 3 is presented in the amount $387,148.24. The payment includes the cost of unit price work completed during the first pay period along with payment for materials on hand – not installed. MOTION made by Vice Chairman Christofferson, Seconded by Council Liaison Cross to approve the Knife River Corporation – North Central Partial Pay Estimate No. 3 in the amount of $387,148.24. Motion Carried Unanimously. 19. 2024 Evergreen Drive Improvements and Southeast Baxter Stormwater Overflow Feasibility Study Project Monthly Update No new information from what was in the RCA. 20. Approve the Widseth Professional Services Fee Amendment in the amount of $14,570 and increasing the Total Not To Exceed Fee to $27,070 for the preparation of the 2024 Evergreen Drive Improvements and Southeast Baxter Stormwater Overflow Project Feasibility Report. WiDSETH Consulting Engineer Aric Welch presented the proposal to the commission and explained the reasons for the fee amendment which include: · Evergreen Drive Realignment and Future Profile South of Original Project Area · Upgrade from Letter Report to Feasibility Report · Incorporation of Southeast Baxter Stormwater Overflow · Hastings Road Trail · Evergreen Drive Realignment Options North of Hastings Road MOTION made by Council Liaison Cross, Seconded by Vice Chairman Christofferson to approve the Widseth Professional Services Fee Amendment in the amount of $14,570 and increasing the Total Not To Exceed Fee to $27,070. Motion Carried Unanimously. 8/2/2023 Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes Page 8 21. Approve the 2024 Evergreen Drive Improvements and Southeast Baxter Stormwater Overflow Project Feasibility Report. WiDSETH Consulting Engineer Aric Welch gave a presentation on the report. The proposed improvements include: · Evergreen Drive (1,540’ north of Highland Scenic Road (CSAH 48) to Hastings Road): sanitary sewer extension, water distribution, storm sewer and urban (curb & gutter) roadway construction. · Hastings Road and Douglas Fir Drive (cul-de-sac of Hastings Road to Hinckley Road): new bituminous trail. · Evergreen Drive (880’ south of Hastings Road to College Road and TH 371 stormwater basin): storm sewer and open ditch construction. The report also includes drawings for the realignment of Evergreen Drive south of the project area to Highland Scenic Road (CSAH 48) and drawings and cost estimates for two realignment options of Evergreen Drive north of the project area. Council Liaison Cross stated the commission should Accept not Approve the 2024 Evergreen Drive Improvements and Southeast Baxter Stormwater Overflow Project Feasibility Report. MOTION made by Council Liaison Cross, Seconded by Vice Chairman Christofferson to approve the 2024 Evergreen Drive Improvements and Southeast Baxter Stormwater Overflow Project Feasibility Report. Motion Carried Unanimously. 22. Deny Request to Construct Trail around Stormwater Pond Located at Hastings Road and Douglas Fir Drive Intersection Public Works Director/City Engineer Trevor Walter: The request to construct a trail located at Hastings Road and Douglas Fir Drive around the south side of stormwater pond is recommended for denial. The trail would constrict the area of the pond for future growth, would not increase connectivity to the trail system, and would also increase maintenance costs. The trail proposed currently with the Evergreen Drive Feasibility Report will go along the north side of the pond within the road right-of-way. MOTION made by Council Liaison Cross, Seconded by Vice Chairman Christofferson to deny Request to Construct Trail around Stormwater Pond Located at Hastings Road and Douglas Fir Drive Intersection. Motion Carried Unanimously. 23. 2024 Mill & Over and Full Depth Reclamation Improvements Project Monthly Update WiDSETH Consulting Engineer Alex Bitter gave a Brief overview of the 2024 Mill and Overlay and Full Depth Reclamation Improvements project. Mr. Bitter reviewed various roads that were being proposed in the report and the recommended improvement for each road. He reviewed the stripping on the different road segments and how that played into his recommendations. Commissioner Yliniemi said he would imagine the stripping would have occurred whether the roads were chip sealed or not. Public Works Director/City Engineer Trevor Walter stated he is not aware of any stripping on any road that has not been chip sealed in the city. Council Liaison Cross asked if we 8/2/2023 Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes Page 9 have tried micro resurfacing over the stripping and Mr. Walter said we have not tried that, but we have tried hot mix patching, cold mix patching, and spray patch and have not had long term success with any of those methods. Council liaison Cross asked why some of these roads in the report that have PASER ratings of 7 could not be micro resurfaced instead of a mill and overlay. Mr. Bitter said we can review that and discuss that as an option for construction. 24. Approve the Widseth Proposal for PROTECT program Funding Application Services for the Design Road and TH 371 Drainage Improvements Project for the Lump Sum Amount of $2,100. WiDSETH Consulting Engineer Alex Bitter said city staff has requested assistance with procuring grants for the MNDOT portion of the Design Road and 371 Drainage Improvements. The deadline for the grant submittal is August 22. MOTION made by Vice Chairman Christofferson, Seconded by Council Liaison Cross to approve the Widseth Proposal for PROTECT program Funding Application Services for the Design Road and TH 371 Drainage Improvements Project for the Lump Sum Amount of $2,100. Motion Carried Unanimously. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 25. 2022 Foley Road, Isle Drive, and Forthun Road Improvements Project Update, City Improvement No. 4114 There was no new information or questions from the commission or the public. 26. 2022 Full Depth Reclamation and Reconstruction Improvements Project Monthly Update There was no new information or questions from the commission or the public. 27. 2023 Micro Surfacing Project Update There was no new information or questions from the commission or the public. 28. 2023 Novotny Road Improvements Project Monthly Update There was no new information or questions from the commission or the public. 29. 2023 Stormwater Program Monthly Update There was no new information or questions from the commission or the public. 30. 2024 Design Road & TH 371 Stormwater Improvements Project Monthly Update There was no new information or questions from the commission or the public. 31. 2024 South Forestview Improvements Project Monthly Update There was no new information or questions from the commission or the public. 32. Eagle Drive Area Improvements Project Monthly Update 8/2/2023 Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes Page 10 There was no new information or questions from the commission or the public. 33. Federal Adjusted Urban Area Boundary Process – Draft Boundary for Review Assistant City Engineer Trevor Thompson gave an update. Entire city before was figured as urban areas-federal adjusted. Salmon color was 2010 adjusted urban areas after census. Blue is proposed 2020 unadjusted urban areas. The minor collectors in the blue area are eligible for federal funding. They went off of the census population density. Staff wanted to discuss with the commission the map and share the importance as it relates to the ability to receive federal funding from region 5. In order to receive funding, the roads need to be within the urban boundary. 34. Golf Course Drive and Clearwater Road Intersection Analysis Monthly Project Update There was no new information or questions from the commission or the public. 35. Holiday Station Store Contamination Project Monthly Update There was no new information or questions from the commission or the public. 36. Inglewood Drive to Garrett Lane Stormwater Outlet Study Project Monthly Update There was no new information or questions from the commission or the public. 37. Letter of Support for MPDG Application for the MN Highway 210 Brainerd/Baxter – Safety, Mobility, and Multimodal Improvements Project There was no new information or questions from the commission or the public. 38. Lift Station 13 Reconstruction Project Monthly Update There was no new information or questions from the commission or the public. 39. Lift Station 16 Reconstruction Project Monthly Update There was no new information or questions from the commission or the public. 40. Section 6 Area A1 Outlet Project Monthly Update There was no new information or questions from the commission or the public. 41. TH 210 Street Lighting Improvements Project Monthly Update There was no new information or questions from the commission or the public. 42. Wastewater Treatment Plant Charges for June 2023 There was no new information or questions from the commission or the public. 43. Water Treatment Plant Make-Up Air Unit Update There was no new information or questions from the commission or the public. 8/2/2023 Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes Page 11 44. Wellhead Protection Plan Part II Project Monthly Update There was no new information or questions from the commission or the public. 45. Whiskey Creek Stormwater Improvements Project Monthly Update HR Green Consulting Engineer Bridget Osborn informed the commission that the city opened Bids today. Low Bidder of $950,000 for the project, the original Budget was $1.77 Million with construction and engineering fees. Grant amount of $1.626 Million. Using updated low bid cost, and Property Acquisition costs are roughly $1.9 Million or $309,000 over budget. As discussed at previous Utilities Commission meetings, a portion of the project could be cut to reduce excavation cost and cut $85,000 of the construction. Mr. Walter said we will work with the contractor to see if they are willing to accept a change order to reduce excavation quantities to get closer to the project budget. The Bids were favorable, but we are still over budget. Reducing the size of the pond while still maintaining treatment will help lower The City’s overall cost. Staff is planning on taking award of contract to city council’s first meeting of September for late fall/early winter construction. Mr. Walter reminded the commission that the project budget is already 4-years old, and the increased land acquisition cost and grand administration fees were never figured in the budget which together total approximately $150,000 of additional cost and construction costs have drastically increased over the last 4-years. Public Works Director/City Engineer Trevor Walter informed the commission that City Council Approved purchase acquisition of Good Samaritan property at the August 2 Council Meeting. Over $300,000 over budget for city cost. ADJOURN MOTION made by Vice Chairman Christofferson, Seconded by Council Liaison Cross to adjourn at 7:40p.m. Motion Carried Unanimously. Approved by: Respectfully Submitted, _____________________________ _____________________________ Mark Cross Trevor Thompson Council Liaison Assistant City Engineer