A number of Tracy residents who live within the scope of the upcoming Phase E infrastructure project were given a chance to inquire about the details of the project at an infrastructure improvement and pre-assessment public hearings on Monday.
Phase E entails watermain, sanitary sewer and storm sewer replacement, and street reconstruction, as well as some pond grading.
While the city as a whole is no stranger to ripped-up roads and toppled trees, Phase E will literally hit home for those who live on Morgan, E. Union, State, Elm, Emory, North 1st St. East and 2nd St. East streets.
The total estimated cost of the project — which will replace infrastructure that dates back to the early 20th century — is $9,810,000; $1,090,200 of that will come from assessments on properties adjacent to the project. At the last regular city council meeting, the council voted to cap assessments on Phase E at $7,900, an increase from $7,500 from previous infrastructure projects in town.
Notices of the proposed assessment amounts were to be mailed to residents today (June 4).
Residents can pay the entire assessment on their property, with interest accrued to the date of payment, and no interest will be charged if the entire assessment is paid within 30 days from the adoption of the assessment.
The exact timeline of the project has yet to be determined, but it will more than likely cover two construction seasons, starting sometime in late summer of 2026.
Questions from residents in those areas ranged from the timeline of the project and assessments, to tree removal and taxes on utilities. To the latter, one resident questioned the Tracy City Council whether or not homeowners in those areas will be hit with another increase in utility fees like every other resident in town.
Lois Schmidt broached the subject, wondering if those assessed will still have to take on any extra financial burden as it concerns their utility bill.
“We’re already paying extra with the assessment,” Schmidt said. “We know they go up yearly, because we just had an increase and now it’s coming again. It’s a lot. It’s getting hard. I’m on a fixed income like so many people in town, and our utility bills are really high.”
Councilmember George Landuyt was sympathetic to Schmidt’s plight, but because projects like Phase E have been “kicked down the road” for so long, it’s imperative the City replaces the aging infrastructure.
Tracy City Administrator Jeff Carpenter said if the utility fees increase, which is expected, they would for everyone in town. Councilmember Jeri Schons added that people who live in project areas in the past weren’t exempt from utility fee increases.
Ellen Lavoy asked if water shut-offs will be communicated with affected residents. She was told that notice will be given to the homeowners prior to water shut-off; if the shut-off is prolonged during service line tie-ins, temporary watermains will be set up.
“Our field staff usually helps out with that; sometimes we do it with flyers, or it will be posted on the City’s web page,” said Jordan Odegard, Bollig project engineer. “Or we can do door hangers.
Plaetz also asked about the timeline and access to one’s home if someone doesn’t have an alley access.
Odegard said there have been talks about the sequencing of work and said there will be times when a homeowner won’t be able to access the front area of a home.
“What we don’t want (the contractor) to do is open up the entire project and not reconstruct the streets,” he said. “Usually what happens is they’ll build a temporary road, or they’ll put in utilities and build the road back up with gravel; they can ramp in the driveways. We will work with the contractor on getting all that sequenced.”
The project will be done in phases, so not every street will be dug up at once.
Shari Blegen raised the question about trees that are in boulevards within the project area. Odegard said more than 100 trees will be taken down to the stump, with the stump then being grinded below grade and covered with dirt. Trees destined to be taken down will be marked with an “X.”
“Trees are usually the first thing that happens on a project,” Odegard said.
In relation to the project, the council passed the following resolutions Monday: Resolution No. 202649 Ordering Improvement and Preparation of Plans; Resolution No. 202650 Approving Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids; Resolution 2026-51 Declaring Cost to be Assessed and Ordering Preparation of Proposed Assessment; and Resolution No. 2026-52 for Hearing on Proposed Assessment, which will take place at 6:15 p.m. on June 22.
