Mayor Pro Tem Ty Wolosin presided over the April 28 regular meeting after Mayor Frank Ritchie was absent attending his daughter’s athletic awards ceremony. All five seated council members were present.
The main action item was a contract amendment with Hoefer Welker Architects covering additional design and engineering work for Fire Station #2. The expanded scope stems from site topography conditions and a facility relocation that weren’t part of the original agreement. Assistant Fire Chief Walter Ball showed an aerial of the proposed building and put construction start in late fall. Council questioned whether further cost increases are likely and whether the station’s footprint will hold up as demand grows. The amendment, not to exceed $847,500, passed 5–0.
Engineering and Mobility Director Jeff Carroll walked council through the city’s sidewalk program, tracing requirements back to the late 1980s and the 2018 Master Plan. Resident surveys consistently flag gaps in the pedestrian network as a top concern. The city has secured a $2.7 million state and federal grant on an 80/20 match basis. Mayor Pro Tem Wolosin stressed that projects competing for Metropolitan Planning Organization funds need to be shovel-ready with a committed funding source.
Utilities Director Mike Brinkmann reported the city’s water loss rate at roughly 10 percent, which he described as very good. Environmental Program Manager Ryan Bass outlined existing conservation incentives — rainwater harvesting, irrigation consultations, rain and freeze sensors — and introduced a new turfgrass reduction rebate for this year. Planning Director Nathan Crane reviewed watering-violation enforcement and noted residents can report violations through the city’s website…