Lansing City Council schedules public hearing regarding utility rate increase, hears update on Main Street/Highway 9 project
by Joshua Sharpe
The Lansing City Council convened Monday, March 16 to address a blend of long-term infrastructure strategies and immediate seasonal issues. During the meeting, council members received an update on the Main Street project, established a public hearing date regarding potential utility rate increases, approved a variance request, and discussed marina parking and enforcement in anticipation of the summer season.
DAVY ENGINEERING UPDATE
Alex Jaromin of Davy Engineering provided an update on the engineering aspects of the upcoming Main Street/Highway 9 project. He informed the council that the city remains in the planning and funding-positioning stage, with bidding anticipated to begin in 2028. The materials presented to the council included a summary of the preliminary engineering report and the foundational financing required to advance the project toward State Revolving Fund and grant consideration.
Jaromin elaborated on how utility conditions have facilitated broader discussions with the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), stating, “They were not proposing to really do any updates to the below-grade utilities on the storm sewer. But after showing them the conditions… the DOT is now looking at including more of that into their scope.” He characterized the preferred alternative for the project as the reconstruction of the corridor “from Casey’s to Hale Street,” while also addressing the complexities related to the Milty’s parcel gap and traffic staging.
During the discussion, a significant point of focus was whether the roadway could remain operational throughout the construction phase. Jaromin noted that “the costs rise sharply if traffic has to be maintained through the work zone,” adding, “If you can close it, you’re shaving off that $3.5 million there.”
He emphasized that the city’s immediate objective is to secure a position in the funding queue rather than finalize a construction price, stating, “What we’re proposing to do… is just to get you on a funding list to make sure all funds are covered, put that $12 million budget in.”
Furthermore, he outlined the fundamental financing assumptions, which include a projected 20-year interest rate of 3.15% and eligibility for a $500,000 CDBG match grant. He highlighted that precise rate recommendations would be provided later, once bid figures are available. Additionally, he explained that approval of the preliminary report would enable it to be submitted to the State and subsequently to funding agencies, with the quarterly application schedule providing the city with some flexibility.
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