College Place council authorizes $70,000 sewer plan update and $261,449 amendment for Damson Avenue/Rose Street lighting

College Place — At its April 8, 2025 meeting the College Place City Council approved two separate authorizations: a $70,000 contract to update the city's general sewer plan and an amendment totaling $261,449 to add Rose Street lighting, right-of-way procurement and construction support to the Damson Avenue reconstruction project.

Why it matters: The sewer-plan update will identify future sewer-system needs that make projects eligible for funding. The Damson Avenue amendment adds lighting and right-of-way work intended to complete a previously awarded Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) grant scope and move the combined project toward construction.

General sewer plan update: Public works staff explained that JUB Engineers prepared the city's original general sewer plan (work started in 2021 and wrapped in 2022) and proposed a lump-sum update to identify additional projects and priorities. "It will cost $70,000, and we have funding through department of ecology for that," a presenter said during the meeting. Councilmember Cleveland moved to authorize the city administrator or designee to sign the professional-services agreement with JUB Engineers; Councilmember Peterson seconded. The motion carried with all present voting aye (five ayes, zero nays).

Damson Avenue reconstruction amendment (Rose Street lighting): Staff described how the original Damson Avenue project was later combined with a Rose Street realignment and lighting scope after TIB awarded additional funding. Design work and some invoicing had been recorded under the Damson Avenue contract; TIB later paused and then reawarded funds to allow completion of the lighting work. The council voted to authorize Public Works to sign Amendment No. 2 to the engineering agreement, adding $261,449 to PBS Engineering's contract to complete lighting design, right-of-way acquisition and construction management. Councilmember Espinosa moved and Councilmember Sherman seconded; the motion passed with all present voting aye (five ayes, zero nays).

Funding and next steps: The sewer-plan update is funded through the Washington State Department of Ecology; the Damson/Rose Street lighting work is funded by a TIB award, staff said. The amendment covers final design, right-of-way procurement along the south side of Rose Street between Lambert and Cary Court, and construction-phase support. Staff said designs already completed under the Damson contract will be reconciled in the amendment and that PBS will finish the remaining work before a bid and construction phase.

Quotations and presenters: Public works staff summarized the sewer-plan background, noting the plan's origin in 2021 and the need to update project lists. "So, through that, we identify a lot of various needs for improvement... It will cost $70,000, and we have funding through department of ecology for that," the presenter said. When asked, staff confirmed both projects have grant funding and no additional city operating expense was reported for the authorizations at the meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Authorize JUB Engineers to complete the general sewer plan update for a lump sum of $70,000 (funded by Department of Ecology). Mover: Councilmember Cleveland. Second: Councilmember Peterson. Vote: 5-0, passed. - Authorize Public Works director or designee to sign Amendment No. 2 to the engineering agreement for the Damson Avenue reconstruction project in the amount of $261,449 (to include Rose Street lighting, design, right-of-way procurement, support, and construction management; funded by Transportation Improvement Board). Mover: Councilmember Espinosa. Second: Councilmember Sherman. Vote: 5-0, passed.

Ending: Staff said PBS Engineering will complete design and right-of-way tasks and prepare the project for bidding and construction; council members expressed support and appreciation for grant funding that enabled the work.