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4. Business Items <br />a. Communication Items <br />Mr. Freihammer provided an update on upcoming construction and <br />maintenance activities in the city. <br />Mr. Freihammer explained that construction season is expected to be busy, <br />with several projects starting in the coming months. He reported that the <br />Lexington pathway project is expected to begin in early May. The Hamline <br />project remains under review with state aid and is likely to start after July, <br />potentially extending into a two-year project. The PMP project is expected to <br />go out for bid soon and begin in June. Sewer lining work was scheduled for <br />award at the April 20 Council meeting. Lift station work is entering the <br />bidding phase, and a related study will be completed soon to support the <br />City's capital improvement plan. <br />Mr. Freihammer noted that wayfinding signage installation would resume in <br />the coming weeks after ground thawing. The Willow Pond project remains in <br />planning, with work expected in late 2026 or later. He said the environmental <br />review would be submitted for public comment, and neighbors within 500 feet <br />would be notified. Lighting upgrades will continue at intersections and along <br />the Lincoln corridor and parts of Long Lake Road. He added that the Owasso <br />Hills neighborhood project is under review and may return later in the year <br />pending a benefit assessment and possible policy changes. <br />Mr. Freihammer reported on county projects, noting that County Road C plans <br />were complete and expected to be bid soon, with construction planned for the <br />summer and bridge work in 2027. The Fairview project would include a mill <br />and overlay as well as reconstruction of the intersection at County Road B, <br />which would be turned into a four-way stop. Other county projects are in <br />design, including corridors on County Road D, Fairview Avenue, Cleveland <br />Avenue, Victoria Street path, Rice Street, and the Larpenteur Avenue corridor <br />study. <br />Mr. Freihammer indicated MnDOT projects would include work on Snelling <br />Avenue starting in mid to late April and continuing through the State Fair, <br />with traffic reduced to one lane in each direction. Highway 280 is expected to <br />be closed for most of the summer, with full closures beginning in mid -April. <br />Mr. Freihammer announced that extra water efficiency grant funding had been <br />approved and would be available to residents. The climate equity action plan <br />will return to the Council on April 6. A native plant sale will run from <br />April 13 to May 14. <br />Mr. Freihammer finished with maintenance updates, mentioning that staff had <br />been busy with compost operations and planned to open the leaf site in early <br />Page 2 of 28 <br />