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CITY MANAGER’S REPORT September 15, 2020 PROJECT UDPATES FROM PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR WORKMAN Baker Avenue Underpass Construction has begun on the Baker Avenue Underpass! The construction contract was awarded to LHC, Inc. in the amount of $1,654,479.45 on June 15, 2020, and construction began on September 8, 2020. The project will be constructed in two phases in order to maintain two-way vehicular traffic over the viaduct. The first phase will involve the construction of the eastern ½ of the underpass and is expected to run into early October. In order to construct the eastern improvements LHC has been widening the western side of the viaduct, however it is anticipated that traffic will be shifted onto this side on September 15, 2020. The second phase will involve the construction of the western ½ of the underpass, allowing traffic to drive over the portion of the underpass that was constructed during Phase I. Work will continue until the project is complete, or winter conditions make it unrealistic to continue. The underpass is expected to be open to pedestrians by November 30, 2020, although final landscape restoration will likely take place in the spring of 2021. There have been no pay requests for the project to-date. *Baker Avenue Underpass Project picture provided by Randy Reynolds ---PAGE BREAK--- State Park Road Reconstruction Work on Phase II began in April 2020 and all of the underground water and sewer improvements were installed. City construction activities were terminated for the summer just before July 4th to allow the other utility companies to install power, gas, phone, and cable. City construction activities resumed just after Labor Day and will continue into early October in order to complete roadway improvements. This will include curb/gutter, shared use path, lighting, paving, striping, and boulevard restoration. To date we have paid LHC $1.25M of a $2.76M contract. Wastewater Facility Improvement Swank continues to make excellent progress on the wastewater treatment plant and the exterior shell of the building is nearly complete. All of the yard piping has been completed for the project including the new effluent line from the plant to the river and the 1,600 feet of non-potable water line from the plant to the screening building. This new non-potable line is one of the ways we will be recycling treated wastewater at the plant and will eliminate the use of more than four million gallons of potable water per month. Interior slabs have all been poured and components of the treatment train, which have begun to arrive, will be installed as the interior of the building is ready to accept them. The liner for the aerated sludge holding pond will be installed in the coming weeks along with the interior mixing and aeration components of the reactor basins. Swank Enterprises is 216 days into a 544-calendar day contract, which equates to them being about 40% complete. To date, Swank has billed $7.8M of a $20.2M contract. ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- Water Source & Treatment Capacity Expansion Construction has begun on the water treatment plant (WTP). Work commenced last month as Northwestern Energy began the relocation of their natural gas facilities in Reservoir Road. These improvements are just about complete, which will allow us to begin construction of the gravity sewer main and parallel water main that must be installed in Reservoir Road. Clearing and grubbing at the WTP site has been completed and retaining walls have been demolished in order to accommodate the footprint of the expanded building. Excavation for slope embankment has begun and the creek bypass will begin when pipe arrives onsite. The contractor will use submersible bypass pumps to divert flow around the work area. To date, Swank has billed $500,585 of a $9,327,000 contract. ---PAGE BREAK--- *Water Treatment Plant Expansion Project Pictures provided by Randy Reynolds PROJECT UDPATE FROM PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR BUTTS Armory Park Improvement Project The playground has been completed. The area was graded for drainage prior to installation of the playground. We will place topsoil and seed around the border of the playground once construction is complete. Future plans include an asphalt bike path that travels along the perimeter of the park, a paved parking lot on the southern boundary of the park, a well for irrigation, an adult fitness area, a pavilion, and a picnic area. Our priorities are the bike path and half of the parking area to utilize the initial allocation of LWCF Funds. If more funds are awarded, which we recently received word that there may be some available, we will work toward completing the parking lot and adult fitness area. The well is planned for next spring and is Resort Tax funded. The rest of the improvements will be completed upon obtaining future funding. ---PAGE BREAK--- MEETINGS On Thursday, September 10th, the Whitefish Strategic Housing Plan Steering Committee met. General discussion about the snow lot, the annual report, funding initiatives (Resort Tax/Impact Fees), and future expected projects. City staff is working on a draft of our first Annual Affordable Housing Report, as well as a list of items that based on a review of the Legacy Homes Program during the past year should be considered as potential amendments. The Committee will review and consider these items at the next meeting on October 8th with a City Council work session scheduled for October 19th. I continue to participate in meetings with other Montana city managers on a regular basis. These remote meetings provide an opportunity to discuss current challenges and plan for upcoming events. One item of importance that has been discussed is preparation for the next Montana Legislative Session. There are a few areas I recommend the City support and/or draft proposed legislation: 1. Affordable Housing - I have discussed with both Representative Fern and Bozeman City Manager Mihelich the proposed changes to the impact fee requirements to allow municipalities the opportunity waive impact fees for deed restricted affordable housing units. Representative Fern, if re-elected, has offered to carry the bill. Bozeman City Manager Mihelich expressed Bozeman would support any legislation that assists with affordable housing. I will be reaching out to the Montana League of Cities and Towns for further support and guidance on preparing a draft bill regarding impact fee changes. 2. Tax Increment Financing and Urban Renewal Districts – As in past legislative sessions, it is likely that tax increment financing and urban renewal districts will be targeted with increased restrictions or limitations on this useful tool. The City should continue to defend the use of tax ---PAGE BREAK--- increment financing and urban renewal districts as a means to encourage economic development and to address blighted areas within our community. As we look to create three new districts, ensuring limitations are not added this legislative session is critical. 3. Septic Systems – Septic leachate continues to threaten the water quality of Whitefish Lake. The City should endorse and/or support legislation that would help address the aging and failing septic systems. More priorities may be added by the City Council as we get closer to the legislative session, but staff will monitor all bills that could impact the City. Regular reporting of legislative activities to the City Council will also occur once the session begins. At this time, we are unsure how the session will operate due to the pandemic, but there may be limits on those allowed into meetings, remotes sessions or voting, etc. NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING The next City Council meeting will be held on Monday, October 5th. The work session will be two closed executive sessions for the performance evaluations of the City Attorney and City Manager. Depending on the action taken by the City Council, the October 5th meeting may be held remotely using WebEx. Respectfully submitted, Dana M. Smith, CPA City Manager