Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wastewater Feasibility topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves grant application to study wastewater options for Wylie City area
Summary
Yakima City will apply for a seed grant to fund a feasibility study on wastewater infrastructure in the Wylie City area; the city will serve as applicant and, if awarded, would administer the project but is not obligated to construct sewer extensions.
Yakima City Council on Jan. 14 voted to authorize submission of a grant application for a feasibility study of wastewater infrastructure serving the Wylie City area, part of the city’s urban growth area.
Planning Manager Trevor Martin told council the study would examine existing infrastructure problems and options for expanding wastewater service into Wylie City, a locally designated area of more intensive rural development (LAMIRD) inside the city’s urban growth boundary. Martin said the city would be the applicant on the Yakima County seed‑fund application and, if the grant is awarded, would administer the study and guide the scope of work.
“We would administer the grant as well as well. We would we would do that part of it,” Martin said when asked about the city’s role. He told council the feasibility work would largely be performed by an engineering firm contracted through the grant and that city staff time would be limited to monthly check‑ins to ensure the scope is followed.
Council members pressed staff on jurisdiction and benefit to city residents because much of the Wylie City area lies outside city limits. Martin explained the area sits inside the city’s urban growth area, and the sewer system that Wylie City would tie into would be the city’s sewer system; he described the effort as a partnership among the city, county and Wylie City residents.
Councilman Glenn moved to adopt the resolution authorizing the grant application; Councilwoman Decio seconded. Roll call recorded Brown — no; Byers — yes; Decio — yes; Glenn — yes; Herrera — yes; Berg — no. The motion passed 4‑2.
Why it matters: Martin and council members said a feasibility study would clarify technical options, regulatory issues and cost estimates for extending wastewater service. The study would also inform the city’s capital facilities planning and the periodic growth management update.
What’s next: If awarded, the grant would fund engineering work and a scope of services; staff said the city would go out to bid for an engineering firm to perform the study and would monitor progress with monthly check‑ins. Martin said the grant is a 100% funding source for the study and would not require a local match, though some city staff time would be included in the budget for administration.
No construction obligation: Martin and council emphasized that approving the application does not obligate the city to build sewer extensions; the action funds a feasibility study only.
