Moses Lake council adopts six‑year CIP 4‑1; Nelson Road grant work and downtown restriping draw debate

The Moses Lake City Council voted 4–1 to adopt the city’s six‑year Capital Improvement Plans (CIP) after a multi‑point discussion about transportation, water and park capital projects and grant funding. The motion to adopt the CIP was made during a special meeting and carried by voice vote; council members recorded four votes in favor and one opposed.

What the vote covered: The adopted CIP consolidated prior project lists across transportation, water, wastewater, stormwater, parks, fleet and facility projects. Staff estimated transportation revenues of roughly $17.5 million in 2026 and described nearly $10 million in grant funding tied to specific projects.

Why it mattered: The 6‑year CIP frames major capital spending and grants the city is pursuing or planning to seek. Several council members pressed staff on project details, grant obligations and potential costs to adjacent property owners for street improvements.

Nelson Road / Safe Routes to School debate

Levi (Public Works engineer) explained the Safe Routes to School application that covers a Nelson Road corridor project connecting several schools. Levi said the project scope includes sidewalks on both sides of the street in the eastern leg, rapid‑flashing beacons at crosswalks, curb bump‑outs to shorten crossing distances, pedestrian‑scale lighting and possible intersection reconfiguration near Edwards Nursery to improve safety. "We're proposing to install rapid flashing beacons at crosswalks..." Levi explained as he walked through planned safety measures.

Funding and property‑owner questions: The Nelson Road design package identified a $2.2 million Safe Routes grant and a…