City Council Approves $10.4 Million Wastewater Plant Upgrade, Backs Bridge and Road Projects

MELROSE — February 21, 2019 — A Minnesota city council endorsed a $10.4 million wastewater treatment plant overhaul and cleared a full slate of infrastructure votes at its February 21 meeting. Engineering consultant Susan presented a facilities plan projecting plant capacity must grow from 3 million gallons per day to 3.5 million gallons per day by 2040, with construction scheduled for 2020 to 2022; officials said existing depreciation reserves should cover projected annual debt service of roughly $1 million with no net rate increase for ratepayers. The council also approved a $225,000 contract with WSB for County Road 13 bridge design — below a 2017 estimate of $275,000 to $325,000 — authorized bid specs for a County Road 65 sidewalk funded by TIF proceeds, and endorsed a phased approach to Miles Lake dam improvements consistent with DNR requirements. Staff was directed to explore listing the long-stalled Craft Lot riverfront parcel with a commercial real estate agent after the current developer was described as hesitant to commit. The meeting closed with tributes to retiring 29-year firefighter Rick Barons and a farewell to city administrator Mike, who has served since 2011.