The Fairfield City Council received comprehensive updates on ongoing city projects during its Monday, February 23rd meeting, with reports from City Engineer and Public Works Director Melanie Carlson and City Administrator Douglas Reinert.
Fire Station Construction Progressing Despite Weather Challenges
Construction of Fairfield’s new fire station continues to advance, with contractors making significant progress over the winter months.
The project, awarded to Christner Contracting of Ottumwa with a low bid of $7,298,347, has overcome several challenges since the November 14th bid opening. Removal of the original 1912 floor became a major undertaking that significantly increased costs. Constant rain in July slowed footing installation, with the final footing placed on October 17th, 2025.
Precast concrete walls and metal framing began installation on November 3rd, 2025. The generator was installed on December 9th, 2025. The roof for the storm shelter area was poured around the first of January, requiring some additional expense for cold-weather concrete.
However, favorable weather in January and February allowed contractors to make substantial progress, including framing the office area, installing stairs and fixtures for the training tower, and continuing work on the mezzanine area.
“Good progress has been made over the winter and contractors continue work on the exterior, getting the building in the dry,” Reinert reported. “More utilities are being inserted, meetings are held with plumbers and electricians to map out the runs, making major installations before the floor is poured.”
Grant Application for Training Tower
The City Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing an application to the Washington County Riverboat Foundation for $250,000 to help fund the regional fire training tower portion of the fire station project.
The resolution authorizes the city to submit the application by the March 15th, 2026 deadline. Approval of the resolution does not guarantee funding—it simply allows the city to proceed with the application process.
According to the project cost breakdown, total estimated project costs stand at $9,019,842. Established funding sources total $8,682,378, leaving a gap of $337,464. The requested $250,000 from the foundation would reduce the shortfall to $87,464.
Reinert described the project as “a generational project lasting for decades.”
Water Treatment Plant Upgrades and Financing Analysis
The city is evaluating options for replacing its aging electrodialysis reversal (EDR) system at the water treatment plant, which uses two blended treatment processes: lime-softening and EDR.
Due to the age and condition of the EDR system, replacement is necessary. To qualify for State Revolving Fund (SRF) financing, a Preliminary Engineering Report is required. Because the city intends to replace the EDR with the same brand—a “sole source” procurement—staff met with Piper Jaffray to evaluate financing options.
Preliminary analysis indicates that a traditional bank loan may be just as cost-effective as SRF funding if the city considers multiple EDR brands. However, using another brand could increase costs due to necessary piping reconfiguration.
French-Reneker is preparing updated estimates to help finalize the financial analysis with Piper Jaffray.
The EDR replacement project will also include replacing the treatment plant generator, treatment plant HVAC system, and the well variable frequency drives (VFDs).
Additionally, Piper Jaffrey is completing a water and sewer rate analysis to include both this project and the EDR project.
Sanitary Sewer and Water Projects Moving Forward
STEP 4 – Sanitary Sewer Conveyance and Water Relocation/Extension
This project includes two phases: Phase 4a south of Jefferson County Park and Phase 4b at and north of the park. The scope also includes a water main extension along Libertyville Road to address low water pressure issues on 32nd Street.
The Intended Use Plan (IUP) application for SRF funds was approved by the City Council on August 25th and approved by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on December 9th. A preliminary meeting was held with property owners on Kingwood Court to discuss the proposed alignment.
Soil borings have been completed, and the Iowa DNR has begun its environmental review. City staff is working with Ahlers and JCG to prepare items for land acquisition.
Sunrise Trail Subdivision
Phase 1 of the Sunrise Trail Subdivision, which includes 33 buildable lots, received bids on April 10th, 2025, with Fye Excavating submitting the low bid at $1,437,913.42 for water, sanitary sewer, grading, and paving.
Fye Excavating intends to begin construction of the sanitary sewer this week, starting on Simon’s property.
Road and Infrastructure Projects
Adams Avenue Overlay
French-Reneker-Associates completed the design for an overlay project on Adams Avenue from Main Street to 6th Street. Bids were received on November 6th, 2025, with Norris Asphalt submitting the low bid at $361,558.00.
The project is being funded with Local Option Sales Tax dollars and will likely occur in April 2026.
Crow Creek Bridge Replacement
The final reimbursement submission was sent to the Iowa Department of Transportation on February 2nd, 2026. A request has been sent to Alliant for the installation of a light at Parkview. The city will pay for the initial installation of this light, as it was not included in the original easement reimbursement or project.
Walton Lake Causeway Bridge
Work on the Walton Lake Causeway Bridge is nearly complete, with cleanup being the main remaining item. A change order for a 10-foot by 8-foot box culvert with dirt backfill and drawing the lake down to elevation 717 was approved by the City Council on August 25th, 2025.
Unseasonably warm weather allowed work to progress throughout the winter. The drawdown valve was closed during the last week of January. The quantity of dirt required will exceed expectations due to lower accuracy of the underwater survey.
Final acceptance of the project is anticipated in April or May, depending on seeding conditions.
“The culvert is installed, earthwork continues to be graded and a large amount of brush and trees have been removed from the area presenting a clean appearance,” Reinert said.
Downtown Improvements and Traffic Study
The Iowa Transportation Commission approved funding for pedestrian improvements at Main and Burlington on December 9th. An Urban State Traffic Engineering Program (USTEP) grant application was approved by the Council on February 9th and submitted to the District Engineer on February 18th to fund traffic signal upgrades and replacement.
As mentioned during the August 11th, 2025 presentation to Council, the proposed improvements can be completed with or without two-way streets and with or without Burlington bike lanes.
Staff is working with adjacent businesses to set up cameras to complete traffic and pedestrian counts at Court and Burlington. This data will be important in finalizing a recommendation. A detailed update will be submitted to the Economic Development chair within the week.
New Initiatives and Programs
Waterscope Trial Program
The Utility Billing Department has reached out to approximately 30 Metron meter users to participate in a 90-day trial of the Waterscope application. This tool gives account owners access to detailed information such as water usage, potential leak alerts, and trend analysis.
Before offering the application citywide, the department wants to test Waterscope with a finite group to confirm settings, identify the most helpful features, and determine any customizations that could benefit Fairfield residents.
Any Metron meter account owner interested in participating is encouraged to contact Shelby at Fairfield City Hall.
Auxiliary Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Staff had a valuable conversation with Ahlers law firm on February 19th regarding auxiliary dwelling units. State regulations regarding ADUs are rather ambiguous, making policy and procedures difficult to provide. However, according to Ahlers, the intent of the law is clear: ADUs shall be allowed.
Staff will continue working with Ahlers to develop policies, procedures, or FAQs necessary to allow citizens to move forward with ADU construction.
Budget Preparation and Insurance Review
City Administrator Reinert reported that budget preparation is well underway, with the Ways and Means Committee conducting a thorough review.
“We are committed to providing a conservative and balanced budget,” Reinert said, noting that the Council must instruct him to schedule a public budget presentation in the next month or two so departments may prepare.
A review of municipal insurance for buildings, property, equipment, and vehicles shows the city has kept claims low, though insurance costs increase marginally across the board.
Legislative Monitoring
Reinert attended a Legislative Champions meeting on February 13th to review legislation being considered by the State of Iowa, particularly regarding property tax changes.
“As changes are being made this helps municipalities prepare for shortfalls in the future,” Reinert said. “Changes in the legislature affects services and service delivery. We always remain optimistic.”
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 9th.
