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The plan was to try and get the new Lindstrom Fire Station open in time for 2023 Karl Oskar Days...but in last week’s project update Lindstrom Council was advised not to expect a move in date until August.

Latest figures show the original fire hall was at $4.68 million and change orders over the life of the work have brought it to $4.87 million.

City Engineer Jon Herdegen advised council that everybody concerned, “...understands we have a finished building we want to occupy.”  Lingering issues include concrete work, incomplete HVAC testing, fine tuning stormwater controls, waiting for CO2 monitors/alarms and other delays.  

Engineer Herdegen brought a proposal from the project contractor Rochon,  offering an “extended” warranty of three years on portions of concrete work  in dispute.  This did not impress council. Council member Craig Krueger said it could fail in year four and the city will be stuck with replacement.  If the warranty could be negotiated to 10 years it might be worth considering.

Council member Brian Norelius remarked that the building elevations were identified as being “off” when he took office months ago. The engineer explained the fire hall project basically “sat” for all of 2022,  while talks were ongoing about Akerson Street condition and subgrade/compaction issues.

Why wasn’t more progress made in the past few months, Norelius asked. 

Adding to the disarray, while the site was torn up the city installed a new gate valve, a new hydrant and addressed separate paving needs at the intersection.  It was decided, only late in the project, Herdegen added, that  Akerson Street would benefit from a crown for directing run-off, and a new catch basin would help keep hard surface flow from heading east across the street.

Norelius stressed the city  could put some stronger pressure on the contractor, but not too cumbersome that the project would be abandoned. 

Mayor Judy Chartrand made a motion to direct  city attorney James Monge  to identify legal fine points that would help the city’s cause. Monge can be brought into drafting communications with Rochon but he is not to be too heavy handed. 

There was much discussion as to the tone for the city response, until council passed the legal advice motion 5-0.  

Norelius stated the city “is not getting what it paid for” and questioned if this all should wait until a City Administrator is on-board?  Council has hired Dan Undem to start in early July.  

Response was that council should not delay ramping up urgency.  Council does not want replacing part of the project to result in an even greater delay in firefighters using the new facility.  Engineer Herdegen said he feels talks are at a fairly cooperative stage now and can still result in a “pretty reasonable settlement” (using credits, or holding back escrow monies,  bringing in city oversight of road related work) and he cautioned to not exacerbate the situation.

Herdegen and interim administrator Missy Glenna will also meet with the city’s financial director and review the budget and identify any monies available to help cover expenses. 

In other matters:  

A request to increase the total the developer of Olinda Trail Apartments can recoup through Tax Increment Financing was denied unanimously. (Story on initial request May 25.). 

Council member David Waldoch said he was “dubious’ about the new valuation analysis showing the increase in property value would pay-off TIF reimbursement almost as quickly as the first approved amount.  

Other council members did not appreciate the boost in reimbursement coming long after the apartments have opened,  and the justification for the increase in TIF based on inflation, supply chain, etc. was unacceptable. 

Action on keeping chickens in the city just aligned the zones and residential area restrictions with language already in other parts of city code. Chicken-keeping is allowed in all residential zones, even north of Highway 8.  Standards for the coops, and animal welfare, remain.

Two appointments to the city HRA/EDA were approved.  The Valkommen Apartments are now represented by Evelyn Latham and Cindy Fischer.

Residents affected by Irene Street work will be getting newsletters on the next steps in the project. Curb replacement is set for July 10, a reclaim and pave starts (based on weather) the week of July 17 and paving is July 24.

Council also approved soliciting bids for Neal Avenue pavement improvements between 295th and 299th. 

 And, a sewer line that runs close alongside South Lindstrom Lake is being studied— for a way to protect against infiltration and inflow.  The city pays for metered water entering the wastewater treatment plant even though it doesn’t contain “sewage” and is just rain or groundwater infiltration.  There is a possibility part of the several hundred foot long pipe could be re-routed by lift station or the scope of the pipe lining would be extended, either way the cost is impacted.  Engineering will have an update. 

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