Council hears first reading of $1.115 million capital budget amendment focused on water and sewer projects

Council held a first reading of ordinance 25‑16, which amends the city’s 2025 capital improvement budget to reallocate funds for transportation, water and sanitary sewer projects.

City staff told council the total amount moving between projects is $1,115,000. To offset the amendment, staff identified closed projects and released the 10% change‑order contingency typically held after project closeout; staff said that, after those releases and one canceled sanitary sewer lining project, the net difference to be added to the CIP is “just under $200,000.”

Why it matters: The amendment funds several infrastructure projects including two transportation items, two waterline upgrades (including an upsized Old Hilliard waterline) and one sanitary sewer project. Council members asked for details about which homes and businesses would benefit, the scope of the waterline work and when lining work in Old Hilliard would occur.

Details from council Q&A - Old Hilliard waterline: Staff said the project replaces an old 2‑inch line with an 8‑inch main along an alignment that runs near the early television museum toward the winery, across a parking lot to Center Street and then up Center to the McCoy Center. Staff said “there really I don't think there are any homes that connect to that waterline, but there are several businesses that connect to that. So we will be abandoning the old waterline … and transferring the services from those businesses to the new waterline as part of the project.” - Broader Old Hilliard infrastructure: Council members asked whether other Old Hilliard waterlines and sanitary sewers also need replacement; staff said many original lines date to the 1920s–1930s and will require phased upgrades and that sanitary sewer lining is performed annually as part of a separate program. Staff said they would provide more project‑level breakdowns and specific street lists after the meeting upon request. - Paving vs. waterline costs: A council member asked how much of a $813,000 line item on W49 (citation from packet) was paving versus pipe upsizing; staff did not have a breakdown at the meeting but offered to provide it afterward.

Next steps: The ordinance was placed on first reading; a second reading and public hearing is scheduled for July 14, 2025. Staff said they will provide requested cost breakdowns and street‑by‑street sanitary‑lining lists to council.