City of Lowell's City Council Worksession Meeting, Monday, April 20, 2026 Part 1

The City of Lowell City Council held a worksession meeting on April 20, 2026, focusing extensively on the city's seven-year street improvement plan and associated funding. The discussion detailed past and projected expenditures on road construction and maintenance, highlighting over $7 million spent since 2007 and approximately $12 million generated from state road revenues. The city manager provided an overview of various funding sources, including state allocations under Act 51, marijuana tax revenues, USDA loans, and multiple grant programs such as small urban grants, MDOT transportation and economic development grants, and community development block grants. The council reviewed planned street projects through 2032, with estimated costs and funding shares, emphasizing coordination with utility upgrades to avoid future disruptions. The council also discussed the impact of declining marijuana excise tax revenues on future road funding and the importance of strategic budgeting and grant applications to maintain and improve the city's road infrastructure. No formal votes or contract awards were recorded during this session, but the meeting included detailed budget projections and prioritization of capital improvement projects related to street repairs and utility work.