| The old waterline runs along under the Green River bridge, the new line will run under the river. |
John Iverson of Sunrise Engineering was present to inform the Green River City Council of the bids received to complete the river crossing project. This project will be the construction of a six inch water line under the river to replace the aging line hung on the bridge. Iverson stated that during the bid process, one construction company was consulted about the construction of the line, materials that would be needed, and wording of the bids to ensure the completion of the project.
“This contractor looked over the project and said it could easily be done for $70 per foot plus man power. When the bids were let out, the lowest bid was $98,673 over the construction estimate and budget. The contractor we were working with was not the lowest bid, and their bid was three times what they told us to expect for costs.
“The project as we have bid it out is new technology and we had no base to go by. We have been back to the CIB and they did grant an extra $100,000 for this project already. They see the need for this pipe and have been very generous. But with the bids coming in so much over budget, we will need another $100,000.
“Green River needs this pipeline as the existing pipe is old and has been repaired many times. We tried to line the existing pipe and it did not work. The only option is replacement. I recommend accepting the lowest bid. I am convinced it is a responsible bid. We will need more money and we suggest you go back to the CIB and ask for more help,” concluded Iverson. The council agreed with the suggestion and approved to move forward with the piping project.
Mayor Ed Bentley informed the council of his visit with Brownfields, the company that is conducting the testing of the Premium Oil property for suitability of building the new fire station in Green River. “They have conducted a preliminary study on the Premium Oil site, and we have the plans back from the architects. A few hot spots were found on the property and those hot spots go 30 feet deep. We have a few options and it is a good site that can be cleaned up,” stated Mayor Bentley.
“Excavation to that depth would be very costly, and no one is to live there. I have been reassured that with some engineering controls liability to the city would be eliminated. We plan to remove the old building and replace it with a new structure. It will house the ambulance, the fire station and maybe the highway patrol office. We also plan to do some repairs to the existing fire hall and use that building as storage for city equipment,” said Mayor Bentley. The council approved this action.
Councilman Dan Harrison proposed an impact fee change for construction of homes in Green River. He said he has done some extensive research into impact fees charged by other towns in the area, and most do not charge these fees. He has also learned that impact fees charged to a home builder can add up to $40 a month to the amount of the mortgage.
At the present, Green River charges several hook up and impact fees to a builder. Based on a new home valued at $120,000 on a lot with 100 foot frontage, those fees would be $11,009.73, and include water hook-up-$600, sewer hook-up-$400 (estimated), water impact fee-$2,127, sewer impact fee-$2,540, building permit-$1,842.73, curb and gutter-$1,800, and sidewalk-$1,700.
Councilman Harrison is proposing to add a 1 percent (of the home’s value) impact fee in place of the water and sewer impact fees. He also proposes that the city install the curb and gutter and only require the home builder to install the sidewalk. This results in a cost of: water hook-up-$600, sewer hook-up-$400 (estimated), 1 percent impact fee-$1,200, building permit-$1,842.73, and sidewalk-$1,700. The new proposed scale results in a $5,267 savings for the home builder. Further discussion and decision will be made at next month’s meeting.
In other business conducted by the Green River City Council, they approved to rescind the nuisance ordinance and rely on the planning and zoning ordinances. The council also approved the list of projects for funding which will be presented at the CIB meeting. Following the denial of a board member to be appointed to the John Wesley Powell River History Museum, the council announced the continuation of the recruitment of a board member.
As a representative of the Green River Community Center, Joni Pace awarded Ione Ekker the Volunteer of the Month award. The next Green River City Council meeting will be held Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in the city hall building.