City staff reported several operational updates and project statuses at the Jan. 2 East Grand Forks City Commission meeting, including infrastructure design work for a MnDOT lighting project, a private electrical service request, water meter replacements and insurance-enrollment delays.

Public works and MnDOT lighting project: A staff member said the city recently received gas main-location information from Excel and has added that data to the project drawings for Business Highway 2. The updated drawings will be reviewed and submitted to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for final approval. Staff also noted ongoing work on plans and specifications for 2025 construction materials and map updates.

Folsom Farms electrical service request: Staff reported that Folsom Farms has requested a three-phase service for a new building where packaging equipment will be installed. The commission was told the location sits within an existing recorded easement and staff will complete a load calculation and determine the necessary work.

Utilities and plant operations: The water/wastewater representative said crews performed routine maintenance and are preparing for the first disinfection byproduct sampling in the system next week. Separately, staff reported progress on a planned water-meter replacement program: the city started with about 200 meters targeted for replacement and now has approximately 70 remaining to be replaced.

Facilities and energy projects: The city reported multiple furnace and central-air replacements completed at year-end and about six commercial lighting replacement projects finalized; staff will prepare calculations for those lighting projects.

Health insurance enrollment: City staff said the 2025 benefits-enrollment process is substantially complete for employees but noted processing delays for employees who selected Blue Cross Minnesota plans, which has delayed issuance of insurance cards for some staff. Staff said they continue to work with the benefits vendor and are confirming dependent/spouse benefit amounts.

Nut graf: The updates were brief operational reports rather than proposals requiring commission approval. Staff described tasks that remain — finalizing MnDOT submittals, completing the water-meter program and resolving insurance paperwork — and said they will return with follow-up information as needed.

No formal motions or ordinances tied to these operational updates were presented for action during the meeting.