Council accepts North Sixteenth Avenue waterline extension agreement; residents paid majority, city contributed $50,000

The Show Low City Council unanimously accepted a waterline extension agreement for North Sixteenth Avenue, formalizing a partnership between residents and the city to extend municipal water to properties in a northern neighborhood.

Staff said residents contracted construction of the extension and the city participated with $50,000 toward hydrants to enhance fire protection. The city provided inspection and testing for the installation. Staff described the extension as reaching roughly 800 feet past West Savage (transcript language approximated and clarified by staff) and said that estimates for the work were "around $100,000."

Under the adopted line-extension agreement, original project owners may recover a portion of construction costs from future parties who connect to the extension for a 10-year reimbursement period; reimbursements are apportioned by lot frontage when additional properties connect. Residents who wish to connect must pay capacity and meter fees, prove disconnection from any shared wells, and pay their share of the main extension.

Council members asked whether the city would require existing wells to be abandoned; staff said the city's code and state law permit wells in the city and the city does not mandate connecting to municipal water in this situation (the council noted that sewer rules are different and require hookups within 200 feet under code). Council members also discussed the long-term goal of looping the northern water system back to Cougar Lane and Thornton.

Councilman Adams moved to accept the waterline extension agreement; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Staff said the city anticipates additional property owners may connect or extend the mains further as development occurs.