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Council gives first reading to up-to-$5.1M bond for water, electric and infrastructure improvements
Summary
Council approved first reading of a supplemental ordinance authorizing borrowing not to exceed $5.1 million to fund water-line replacements, an elevated tank project, undergrounding electric in a tree corridor and other capital items; staff said the Lucky Street water-line replacement is roughly $245,000.
The Westminster City Council gave first reading on May 13 to a supplemental ordinance authorizing borrowing for capital projects not to exceed $5.1 million (ordinance noted as a not-to-exceed amount).
City staff and the public-works director described a prioritized list of uses: replacement of a corroded Lucky Street water main (estimated about $245,000), installation of a Unity-area elevated tank and pump reconfiguration to improve pressure and reliability, undergrounding critical electric lines where repeated wind damage causes outages, and other distribution and replacement work.
Staff said the $5.1 million figure is a ceiling; the working borrowing amount is likely to be about $4.855 million when fees and contingencies are refined. Bond counsel was reported to be preparing documents and staff said the city's prior hospitality-tax bonding had used similar not-to-exceed language.
Council asked about timing and how potential changes to sewer governance might affect projects; staff said if a governance change occurs before any project begins, the city would negotiate with lenders and stakeholders at that time. Staff also warned that some projects tied to grants must be completed on a schedule and that some funds are time-limited.
Next steps: staff will continue to refine costs and return for second reading; formal borrowing will require additional council action.
