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City administrator warns of aging sewer equipment, while tourism grant funds 14 of 23 projects
Summary
City administrators told the Libby City Council of major sewer-line leaks, inoperable valves and outdated flow meters and said capital funds have been depleted; the tourism grant application will fund 14 of 23 proposed local projects, with a $125,000 haul-bridge guard-rail project targeted in year two.
City Administrator (mister Sykes) reported to the Libby City Council that the sewer plant has long-running leaks and aging equipment that will require multi-year repairs and spending.
Sykes said crews discovered a large leak on return lines from the clarifiers to the oxidation ditch; an earlier, temporary in-house repair used a flex hose and cement to patch an 8-inch pipe and that the pipe has likely been leaking for 15 to 20 years. Two main valves are reportedly inoperable, flow meters have been out of service for about 25 years, and the city will prepare parts lists and man-hour estimates before seeking contractor bids.
Sykes said recent capital work has already used a portion of the capital improvement plan, noting a more than $125,000 expense for sewer-main replacements, a replacement generator estimated at over $50,000, a boiler-tank replacement of about $30,000 and more than $20,000 spent on aerator pumps in six months. He said the city plans to sequence repairs and consider an upcoming phase of utility-rate increases next year to provide additional funding.
On water services, the city has recently hired a new water-distribution operator; December meter readings were estimated because a meter reader was not available, and customers who used more or less than the estimate will be billed or credited when meters are read.
Sykes also updated council members on a tourism grant for the Shea locomotive and related Main Street projects. He said the Department of Commerce provided strong feedback, and the city expects to implement 14 of 23 funded projects in the first year. The haul-bridge guard-rail rebuild was estimated at just over $125,000 and is likely scheduled in the second year. Sykes said three projects were not funded and that those teams will pursue additional funding sources.
Council members asked about timelines and staffing; Sykes said the city will prepare cost estimates and return with contractor quotes and prioritized repairs. He advised the council that some work may be deferred until additional utility-rate revenue or grant funding is available.
Ending: City staff said they will produce parts lists, cost estimates and contractor solicitations for the sewer work and will follow up on tourism grant project details for public review.
