Lindstrom council approves contractor payments and hears updates on solar, lift station and budget timeline

The Lindstrom City Council approved several contractor partial payments and received schedule updates on multiple public works projects.

Brian (staff member handling public works/finance) told the council the first item was partial payment for Gustafson Contracting for additional storm sewer repairs beyond the original scope; he said the extra work amounted to roughly $5,600. He also recommended partial payment number 2 to Winford Companies for the downtown parking lot mill and overlay in the amount of $90,113.07 and a final partial payment to Peterson Companies for irrigation repairs associated with the parking lot work. “This is partial payment number 2. It's in the amount of $90,113.07,” Brian said.

Council members discussed lingering ponding and small finish items on projects. One council member urged contractors and staff to include painting and other finish work in future scopes so the city does not need to return later for punch‑list tasks. Public works staff said they are scheduling final walkthroughs and will use retainage to ensure cleanup and small repairs are completed.

On capital projects, staff reported the solar panel installations for the fire station and municipal liquor store are slated to begin construction in the second or third week of September, with the bulk of work finished by the end of October; a structural inspection for the liquor store passed and a small change order of about $1,000 was noted. Staff also said the Trail mill and overlay work (Lake to 3rd Avenue) should start next week and take four to six weeks, while the Olinda Trail lift station access and sewer lining is expected to start in mid‑August and last about three months, with the bypass portion shorter (three to four weeks).

Dan (city staff member) reminded council that the July budget meeting is scheduled for July 30 and that staff will present the first draft of the general fund budget in advance; he also said the EDA will present a rent analysis on the cable house at that meeting.

Council moved and approved the listed partial payments and accepted the project updates. Staff said they will schedule follow‑up items — including final contractor walkthroughs, retainage releases when appropriate and any required public notices for the lift station and mill/overlay work — and will bring the budget materials to the July 30 meeting.