Rugby city officials said they are generally satisfied with the recently-completed city-wide street improvement project, but it’s evident there are a few lingering issues that need to be rectified before complete payment is granted to the general contractor, Bituminous Paving.

At its Sept. 8 meeting, the city council agreed to retain $97,000, or about two percent of the project’s total cost until a few points of contention are addressed with the contractor and engineer, namely the boulevard restoration and some drainage problems.

The council shared some of its frustrations with Roger Grimsley, project engineer with Advanced Engineering, Grand Forks.

Gerry Jacobson, Ward Two councilman, has toured many of the areas where boulevard restoration was completed. Some of the work was fine, but some of the completed work was just plain sloppy, he said.

Jacobson had a bucket with him, and he pulled out some chunks of concrete and tree roots that were apparently raked into the completed boulevards.

Over the past few weeks several residents complained to city officials about the condition of the boulevard in front of their homes.

Bill Hartl, Ward Three councilman, said it appears to him the general contractor left the subcontractor, Monster Hydroseeding, out to dry a bit. They left town when it was clear there was cleanup that needed to be done before the boulevard restoration started.

Another area of concern is drainage problems that have been created by some of the contractor’s work. One particular spot, Jacobson pointed out, was a trench or valley gutter created near the intersection of 4th St. S.W. and N.D. Highway 3. Not only is the drainage an issue, but also the trench or valley gutter is creating problems for traffic crossing over it.

Grimsley acknowledged that the boulevard restoration has been a sore spot, and there are issues that have to be ironed out. He said the drainage troubles can still be addressed under the warranty.

The council wanted to conduct another drive-along with project engineers to point outspecific concerns. Grimsley said that will be arranged in the near future.