Council approves engineering task order and directs work on West High School water-main replacement

City engineering and public works staff presented options for replacing aging ductile-iron water mains that cross the West High School campus. Staff described an existing informal model under which city crews repair breaks on campus mains and bill the school district 50% of repair costs for lines that are not service lines; staff said several breaks had been documented over the past decade.

Staff proposed three options: (1) continue the current sharing model with a city share of roughly $309,000 tied to the school’s bid and attach the project to the city’s 2025 water‑treatment bond financing; (2) limit the city’s financial responsibility to mains that directly benefit residents and pay approximately $404,000 for an 8‑inch replacement of the north–south connector; or (3) upgrade the connector to a 12‑inch main for greater future capacity at an estimated city share of about $581,000. Staff noted the project would be bid by the school as part of its campus work and the city would enter into a reimbursement agreement with the district.

Councilmembers asked about which sections benefit residents versus serve school facilities (tennis courts, bus garage) and expressed interest in clarifying maintenance responsibilities through easements and a revised cost‑share agreement. Council asked staff to return with a revised cost‑share agreement reflecting the discussion and approved Task Order 13 with A2S for engineering (about $31,000), with the cost split with the school district as proposed. The council approved the task order by voice vote.