The City Council on May 8 approved two task orders to secure outside expertise for grant and loan applications: a $40,042 task order with HDR to support a Safe Streets for All (SS4A) implementation grant application and a $13,000 task order with Black & Veatch to assist with State Revolving Fund (SRF) and WIFIA loan applications for the city's proposed new wastewater treatment facility.

Allison Abel, who presented the SS4A item, said the city is finishing the SS4A plan and plans to apply for implementation funds with projects such as sidewalks and roadway improvements identified in the plan. Abel said HDR will finalize traffic data, cost estimates and conceptual plans needed for a competitive application and will help the city work with the Kansas Infrastructure Hub to reduce local match requirements. The HDR scope and fee in the packet totaled $40,042.

Abel also presented a task order with Black & Veatch to prepare SRF and WIFIA loan applications for a planned 5-million-gallon-per-day wastewater treatment plant. She said the city is using Black & Veatch for technical cost estimates and pre-application materials required by KDHE and EPA; the Black & Veatch task order was $13,000 and staff was authorized to submit SRF pre-applications and the WIFIA loan application.

Staff emphasized these approvals authorize application preparation only and that each grant or loan award would return to the council for acceptance and contract approval. Abel noted the SRF pre-application deadline was imminent and the WIFIA process is lengthy. Council members expressed support for pursuing outside funding and said using consultants can improve competitiveness for large, technical grants and loans; one council member praised staff for finding grant opportunities.

Action: Council approved a $40,042 task order with HDR for SS4A grant support and authorized staff to submit SS4A and Kansas Infrastructure Hub applications; the council also approved a $13,000 task order with Black & Veatch and authorized staff to submit SRF and WIFIA loan applications. Both motions passed 4-0.