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The process to pursue multi-million dollars in street improvements in North Branch got the green light from city leaders last week.  Next step is for the North Branch engineering consultants, WSB to put together a feasibility study with some cost projections for potentially going out for bids.  The rough estimate at this time is $5 million.

North Branch will need to go into debt to do this streetwork.  There will also be assessments against properties in the improvements area, which is commonly called “northwest old town.”

Engineer Justin Messner said the plan will involve using as much available funding as possible:  like state aid for those streets that are eligible, the water fund for water main replacements, the storm sewer fund for that related work.  

The sum to be assessed to benefitting properties will be determined following a public involvement process with several upcoming public meetings.  The feasibility study is set at  $37,000 and takes about a month to be presented to council, so the first public hearing wouldn’t be until December. Bids won’t go out until February 2026 and ground won’t be broken until June, according to Messner.

Streets in the project zone include Cedar, Elm, 12th, 11th and 10th.  The goal is to upgrade to a full urban design with curb and gutter and to incorporate storm water handling which don’t currently exist. 

Another costly public works project is the rehabilitation of water tower #3 which is on Grand Avenue by the schools.  It is 20 years old and on the Capital Improvements Plan to be addressed right about now, council was advised.

The firm KLM was awarded the inspection and creation of bids and specifications for the reconditioning. This initial step is $114, 700. 

The schedule calls for the water tower bids to go out late winter and be awarded in March 2026.

The council found consensus in a denial of a trio of requests that would allow for a transport business to locate north of the old Lampert’s off Flink on the west side of the freeway.  All five on the council said they wanted to avoid setting any precedent on design materials and outdoor storage rules changes being asked for.  Plus, the city planning commission voted to deny it as well.

The parcel has been a single family home and the location had little appeal to the city council as a trucking depot, with problems regarding access and noise foreseen.  Again it was not the business itself, but the location that was hindering acceptance just like the cannabis application.

And in the consent agenda the request to hold a glow in the dark disc golf tournament at Harder Park Disc Golf Course was allowed. The event is requested by an outside group and is meant for  50 or fewer players and is from about 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. October 25.  No music or added event enhancements are part of the plan.

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