Residents urge board to reject siting of lift station in Walters Park; parks board requests more analysis

Erin Wheeler, chair of the Park and Culture and Recreation Board, opened the March 4 meeting and set aside time for extensive public comment on a proposal to relocate Lift Station 4 into a portion of Walters Park.

Residents who live adjacent to the park told the board they had learned recently about the city's plan and urged staff to seek alternatives. "This is ugly as sin," said David Mercer, describing cleared trees and diminished bird life that he said have degraded the neighborhood park. "We're watching this happen to us, and we have we're powerless to do anything about it." Janet Ikeda, a 40-year resident, said she and neighbors collected roughly 500 signatures in one week opposing use of the donated park meadow for utilities.

The hearing followed a staff presentation by Justin Knox, public works utilities engineer, and Jen Burbage, director of parks, culture and recreation. Knox said the existing lift station, built in the 1970s, is at the end of its service life and does not meet modern safety or maintenance standards. "This project is completely separate from the Hicks Lake Apartments," Knox said, responding to residents who tied capacity questions to nearby development. He described two candidate locations inside the park: a north meadow site that would remove fewer trees and a west/parking-lot site that would affect the park parking area.

Many speakers pressed staff on alternatives, timing and oversight. "For a project estimated at $2,900,000, why can't a portion of those funds be used to purchase alternate property?" asked Marilyn Eichenbaugh, a former city recreation coordinator. Mike Bloom told the board he lacked confidence that a lift station near park users would never overflow or fail. Several commenters also said they had to use public-record requests to learn details and called the outreach inadequate.

Board members debated their advisory role after staff said the city manager had approved the use of parkland. Several members said they felt they were being asked to advise on a plan after the substantive decision to use parkland had already been made. Commissioner Hillary Dykstra and others said the board lacked sufficient design-level and fiscal information to choose a site. "I don't feel like I have the qualifications for the information to pick a site," Dykstra said, urging staff to supply more environmental and fiscal analysis.

After discussion, Chair Wheeler moved that the parks board does not have enough information to select between the two proposed park sites and that staff provide additional environmental and fiscal impact information before the board makes a recommendation to the city manager. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Staff said next steps would include consideration of the board's guidance in subsequent planning, review of the property appraisal and initiation of design and permitting if the project proceeds. Knox estimated design and construction would likely place a new station online no earlier than 2027, noting the need to hire consultants and complete permitting.

The meeting record shows broad public opposition to siting the new lift station on park property and a board majority asking for more analysis before advising the city manager. The advisory board's request does not, by itself, change the city manager's authority; staff said the manager will review the appraisal and proposed terms and may proceed consistent with municipal processes.

The board will revisit the item after staff return with the requested detailed environmental and fiscal information and when design-level analysis for the two candidate sites is available.