The Spring Hill City Council on June 26 approved an agreement with WaterOne to relocate a water main needed for the 190 Ninth Street roadway improvements.

City staff said the relocations are required where utilities sit inside the planned project area; utilities located within the city right of way will pay their own relocation costs, while costs for utilities in dedicated utility easements will be reimbursed by the city. Staff said WaterOne estimated the relocation work at $81,597.13 and that a portion of that estimate will be WaterOne’s responsibility while easement portions would be the city’s responsibility.

Amy Abel, a city staff member who presented the item, told council the agreement has been reviewed by the city attorney and WaterOne’s counsel and that about half of the required easements have been acquired. Abel said staff expects to present the first round of easements for signature at the next meeting so the project can move forward. She also said Atmos (another utility) will likely require relocations on a later agenda and that the city held a coordination meeting with both WaterOne and Atmos to confirm spacing and collocation details.

Council members asked whether the utility work overlaps planned sidewalk and school-district construction; Abel said the WaterOne work is primarily on the south side of the road and separate from the school district’s grading needs, which would require temporary construction easements rather than permanent right-of-way or drainage easements. Abel said the water relocations will be paid from the project bond.

A motion to approve the WaterOne relocation agreement, with the estimated amount listed at $81,597.13, passed by voice vote, recorded as “Motion carries 5 0 0.” No individual roll-call votes were provided in the meeting minutes.

The contract approval allows staff to finalize easement acquisition and proceed with relocations as the city completes final design and right-of-way work for the 190 Ninth Street improvements.