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At its meeting Monday, the City Council of Webster city approved up to $1,726,000 for street repairs in 2027, including an estimated $718,000 to rebuild Hillcrest Drive, and an estimated $1,008,000 for hot melt asphalt (HMA) paving on Division, Water, Elm and Locust Streets. The figures are engineering estimates; more accurate costs will be known November 2, 2026, when bids for the HMA project are planned to be awarded, and in December for the Hillcrest project.
The Hillcrest project includes new Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) curbs and gutters on the road's east side, spot replacement of PCC curbs and gutters on the west side, HMA milling and overlay from Des Moines St. to Lynndale Dr., in addition to water main and sewer work.
Clay and metal storm sewer pipe will be replaced with reinforced concrete pipe, and 6" cast iron water mains under Hillcrest Drive, which has seen a high number of breaks. This will be replaced with 8" PVC pipe. Homes on the east side of Hillcrest will get new curb stop boxes (water shut-off valves), those on the west side will have water lines replaced to the street.
In a separate project, all sanitary sewer lines and manholes along Hillcrest will be slip-lined with cured-in-place pipe. Finally, if any Orangeburg liners are found during the work, they'll be replaced. Orangeburg sewers, made of tar-impregnated cardboard, were widely used from 1890 to the 1970s. Many were built during WW2, when metal was prioritized for the war effort.
New PCC driveway entrances will be poured for all driveways on the route of the project.
Also approved by the council members was the 2027 HMA paving plan which covers Division St. from Beach to Superior; Water St. from Seneca to Superior; Elm St. from Willson Ave. to Superior and Locust St. from Lynx Ave. to Beach St. The bid package will be sent to prospective contractors immediately. Weather permitting, work could begin next May with completion in August.
Councilman Marvel, saying he favored both projects, hesitated at approving such a big HMA project now, "with it not being in the budget." City Manager Harrenstein explained, "we don't start street repairs until after school is out (i.e. early June), but vendors would be paid for June work in July, which is in the next fiscal year."
Due to the amount of HMA paving each summer, the city has learned it can get its projects on contractor's work schedules and at lower costs, by committing to projects in the fall.
In other action, the city council:
•approved changes to the city's fee schedule. The Police Department will raise the fee for unlocking car doors from $25 to $50. New fees for violations of the city's open burning law and fireworks regulations will be $65 for a first offense; $100 for a second, and $150 for third, and subsequent violations. Previously, those violating either law had to appear in court. The Utility office is changing its "meter inconvenience fee," charged for temporary disconnection and re-connection, from $75 to $150/month.
•approved a first reading of an amendment to Chapter 46, Article V, Division 1, Sec. 46-206, restricting on-street parking on Cedar and Webster Streets to the south side of the road. This policy is already in effect on most other streets in central Webster City in the areas from Second to Ohio, and Superior to Beach streets. The change, improves motorist and pedestrian visibility, and provides more room for emergency vehicles.
•accepted an offer of $1,500 from Maria Luisa Sanchez and Rivinson Piedrasanta for the purchase of a city-owned lot, at 1110 John St., adjacent to their home.
•authorized purchase of a new grass fire truck for $109,087.77.
•accepted the final report of a feasibility study of a prospective rail port in Webster City, from SRF Consulting Group, Minneapolis.