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Council approves Public Works Board funding for $1.57M Cloney Park culvert replacement
Summary
The council adopted Resolution 2546 to accept $500,000 in grant funding and a $500,000 low‑interest loan from the Washington State Public Works Board for an emergency replacement of a failing storm culvert under Cloney Park; the project must be completed and funds spent within 12 months.
The Longview City Council on Feb. 27 approved Resolution 2546, authorizing an agreement with the Washington State Public Works Board to support an emergency replacement of a failing stormwater culvert beneath Cloney Park.
Public Works staff told council the 54‑inch storm line under the park — originally installed decades ago and now failing — poses a safety and infrastructure risk near a playground. The city declared an emergency after video inspection and sought Public Works Board emergency funding.
Project scope and funding: Staff described a plan to install a new 36‑inch (third‑inch referenced in presentation) storm pipe at depth, intercept existing catch basins and abandon the failing 54‑inch line in place. The estimated total project cost is about $1,570,000. The Public Works Board award is $500,000 in grant funding and a $500,000 ultra‑low interest loan (approximately 0.886% as reported); the remainder will be funded from the stormwater utility and a short interfund loan to be repaid in about three years.
Public Works staff emphasized construction complexity — the replacement requires deep excavation and dewatering where the pipe is more than 10 feet below grade — and noted the Public Works emergency program requires that funds be spent and the work completed within roughly 12 months. Staff also noted the award was made because of the public‑safety urgency and the poor pipe condition revealed in inspections.
Council action: The council moved and seconded adoption of Resolution 2546 and approved the agreement. During debate some council members flagged that the low‑interest loan is favorable (0.886%) and that urgency and the 12‑month spending window make Public Works emergency funding the most feasible source. One council member noted the estimated interest on the package is modest — roughly $43,000 on the project total at the reported rate — and asked staff to explore alternate funding prospects for future projects.
Next steps: Public Works will finalize contract paperwork with the Public Works Board, issue procurement for construction, and report quarterly to council until project close‑out. Work is scheduled for design and construction in 2025 with an expected completion timeline aligned to the program’s 12‑month expenditure requirement.
