The Verndale City Council found out this month it can eliminate plans for the storm water portion of its sewer project, which may save the city around $500,000 in all.
The city's engineer, Widseth, Smith and Nolting, said only cities with a population of more than 5,000 have to collect rainwater along the city streets.
Jim Hines of WSN gave the city several options instead of installing curbs and a storm sewer to collect water off the road and protect the pavement.
"We could do things like ditching or [a] rain garden," he said. "Or you could just leave as is."
Eliminating that work will save the city about $200,000 for the year one project, Hines said. The city is still required to do certain things to prevent erosion during the actual construction.
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Mayor Ardith Carr asked if this is something the city should act on now.
Councilman Bruce Koppenhaver recommended scheduling another public meeting first. The city has options it didn't get to consider before, he said. Now it can make this information available to citizens and get some feedback.
A lot of residents seem to be against adding curbs and a storm water pond, according to Jim Bergquist, the city's maintenance supervisor. The city hasn't completed the land purchase for an easement for the pond overflow.
Bergquist also said in his report the city may want to consider combining the phases of the project into one year instead of three years because President Barack Obama is planning a nationwide infrastructure stimulus plan for this year. The stimulus program will have very low interest rates available for loans.
Hines asked if the city would like to combine the year one and year two projects.
Councilman Jim Ackerson said the sewer and water committee will need to meet and discuss that proposal.
Carr and Councilman Louie Randall reminded Hines there are three new members on the council.
"This is the first we've seen any of this at all," Randall said.
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The council did agree to an approximately $10,000 project to survey and revise the plans and specifications for a portion of the year one project.
Hines said WSN originally proposed lining the existing sanitary sewer line on a portion of the project referred to as alley one, but Bergquist has recently encountered problems with sewer backups. Bergquist televised the line and realized there's more root problems, Hines said. By digging up and replacing the sewer line they can correct the full 18 feet.
Bergquist said they could spot repair where the roots are, but that would require digging up half of the line anyway.
Hines said the bidding climate is good.
"There's not a lot of work out there right now," he said.
