Millwood OKs contract for Buckeye Avenue water main

Facing a larger than usual list of agenda items, Millwood City Council held an extra meeting Tuesday night.

During the special meeting, the council unanimously approved a $48,470 contract with Welch, Comer and Associates for the Buckeye Avenue water main replacement project tentatively planned for next year.

Welch will amend the city’s Water System Master Plan and provide survey, design, bidding phase and construction phase services.

In October, the city accepted a $448,208 loan to fund the project, which replaces 2,700 lineal feet of waterline.

The council also decided to have McKinstry, the city’s energy services company, perform an audit so that the city could apply for a grant from the Department of Commerce to pay for facilities improvements.

McKinstry’s Jayson Schmidt and Casey McGourin suggested improvements including upgrading the heating, venting and air conditioning systems; replacing the aging water heater; installing transfer grills; and upgrading the thermostat to a programmable model.

Schmidt estimated the city could see a 17 percent reduction in energy costs annually if the system was updated.

To help offset some of the city’s overall cost on the project; Schmidt said the city could qualify for a $500,000 grant from the Department of Commerce. The DOC has $18 million available for energy efficient projects in 2014. The deadline to apply for the grant is Jan. 30.

Part of the criteria for the grant includes matching funds from the city.

Schmidt said the city should commit $75,000 to $100,000 for its grant application. “You got a really good chance at getting the grant. I feel pretty confident at that,” he said.

McKinstry’s $13,788 fee for the audit will be rolled into the final project cost.

The council also approved a resolution setting the 2014 revenues and property tax levy. The city’s assessed property tax is estimated to increase by 1 percent, bringing in an estimated $4,028. This year, the city saw an estimated $3,464 decrease in property tax income.

The council nominated Councilman Richard Shoen to be the Spokane Regional Transportation Council Small Cities Representative, serving cities with populations of 5,000 or less. Shoen will serve three years beginning January.