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Council approves engineering contracts, water loan and park funding; several projects advance
Summary
The Laramie City Council voted to authorize multiple professional services agreements, accept a state loan for a sewer lift station, and increase project budgets for recreation and bike-park projects. Council also approved a pool filter replacement contract and a parking/accessibility study for First Street.
The Laramie City Council on Jan. 23 approved a package of professional services contracts, a state loan agreement and budget amendments covering water, sewer, street and parks work.
The actions move forward engineering and design for a new water tank and sewer lift station, add survey work for a narrow alley rehabilitation, fund a full replacement of pool filters at the Laramie Community Recreation Center, add funds for a long‑planned bike park and authorize design work on a West Laramie pathway and a First Street/depot parking accessibility study.
Why it matters: the votes fund immediate design work and early construction activities on projects city staff have said are priorities for system reliability, public safety and recreational amenities. Several items also include public‑outreach commitments and contingency funding.
Key outcomes and details - Consent agenda: Approved (8 yes, 1 absent). Items on the consent agenda were adopted as presented. (Roll call: Bowling, Freed, Lockhart, Newman, Vihill, Richardson, Cumby; one absent.)
- Thornburg Drive alley professional services amendment: Council authorized Amendment 1 to the professional engineering services agreement for the Thornburg Drive alley priority replacement project, adding $107,000 for survey and boundary monument work for a revised total contract of $280,506. Council approved the motion (7 yes, 0 no, 2 absent). The council heard staff describe narrow alleys, deep utilities and expected disruption to adjacent residents.
- Zone 1 tank design services: Council awarded professional engineering services for a new Zone 1 water tank to DOWL in the amount of $388,490 with a contingency of $38,849; motion passed (7 yes, 0 no, 2 absent). Staff said the item covers design only and that tank capacity will be determined as part of the consultant’s work; bidding is expected in 2026.
- West Laramie Lift Station — Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan: Council approved the loan agreement with the Wyoming State Loan and Investment Board for $950,000 (20‑year repayment) to build a new West Laramie lift station. Motion carried (7 yes, 0 no, 2 absent). Staff said the existing station is at the end of its useful life and the project is prioritized in the wastewater master plan and the state’s intended use plan.
- West Laramie lift station design amendment with Tetra Tech: Council approved Amendment No. 2 with Tetra Tech for design phase adjustments in the amount of $125,099 plus $21,901 contingency; passed (7 yes, 0 no, 2 absent). Staff explained the amendment covers technical refinements identified during design, including switching pump configuration for easier maintenance.
- Laramie Community Pool filter replacement: Council awarded the bid to Prestige Aquatics for up to $280,500 and approved a $140,500 budget amendment; council corrected the resolution to amend the Recreation Center fund rather than the General Fund and approved the change. The motion passed (7 yes, 0 no, 2 absent). Staff said all six main filters at the 20‑year‑old pool need replacement.
- Laramie Bike Park: Council approved a $500,000 amendment to the Bike Park project budget (bringing total to $1.4 million) and authorized use of specific purpose tax funding; motion passed (8 yes, 0 no, 1 absent). Staff said the previous bid exceeded available funds and the additional appropriation is intended to make the core park elements fundable; staff plans to release an RFQ this year and may phase the project.
- West Laramie Westside shared‑use pathway connector (Thena Engineering): Council approved a professional services agreement for design of the Westside pathway connector (design budgeted in 2024, amount in staff report). Staff emphasized evaluating the Trestle Bridge and ADA access; motion passed (8 yes, 0 no, 1 absent).
- First Street / Depot parking, accessibility and site study (WWC Engineering): Council approved a professional services agreement not to exceed $136,000 and a budget amendment to increase the project from $75,000 to $136,000. Council approved the contract (8 yes, 0 no, 1 absent). Staff said the scope includes robust public involvement, parking alignment options, and ADA accessibility improvements.
What council and staff said: staff repeatedly framed these votes as funding design and survey work — not automatic direction to construct — and emphasized next steps include public outreach, final design and separate construction bids. Council members asked about timelines, outreach and potential disruptions where projects involve narrow alleys or deep excavations.
What’s next: each approved contract and loan returns to staff for design and procurement steps. Construction schedules and final bids will be presented to council before award of construction contracts. The bike park and pool projects include budget amendments; council retained the option to reject future bids if costs exceed expectations.
Ending note: several items carried contingency amounts and staff told council they will continue outreach with affected residents and coordinate with external agencies as needed for highway crossings and state funding requirements.
