Yelm officials say sewer plant commissioning, parks, reservoir and road projects will advance this year

City staff gave a comprehensive capital-projects briefing to the Yelm City Council during a Feb. 3 study session, outlining schedules, funding and outstanding approvals for sewer, parks, water and road projects across the city.

Cody, co-director, and Brad, project and programs manager, said the long-running Water Resource Facility (WRF) project has reached final phases: liquids systems are effectively complete and the solids side is scheduled to begin commissioning in the coming months. Cody reminded the council that the city used a Department of Ecology loan of about $36,000,000 to build the plant and said loan repayments will start next year; he also said a recent sewer-rate study indicates the city can hold existing rates in the near term while continuing to review opportunities to lower rates in future budgets.

Staff described work to replace older shared step septic tanks with grinder pumps. Presenters said grinder pumps are smaller, easier to repair and simplify collection, but they cautioned that Ecology officials are hesitant to allow grinder pumps to be turned over to homeowners; ownership and maintenance responsibilities remain under negotiation. Brad added that typical warranties run about five years and that grinder pumps should be cheaper to maintain than step tanks.

On parks, staff presented Cochrane Park Phase 2 plans — a back-half upgrade including a pavilion, reworked dock and lighted fountains — and said new study results may reduce required purification infrastructure because testing showed treated discharge could be cleaner than the local aquifer in some locations. The project still requires Ecology’s sign-off on permanent discharge plans before the city can proceed with full construction.

The Southeast Reservoir near the Walmart corridor was reported to be nearly full and in final testing; staff said the new reservoir doubles storage capacity, helps stabilize pressure during pump cycles and will support firefighting flows in high-demand scenarios. Contractors are finishing punch-list items and staff expect the reservoir to be online in the next few weeks.

Staff reviewed road projects including an updated design for a roundabout at 507/Bald Hill; they said designs should be ready to bid by year-end and that state funding will reimburse portions of the work. A separate road realignment and sidewalk/shared-use path projects were presented, with a focus on safety, root barriers on tree plantings and an emphasis on grants to limit use of local funds.

Cody said the Fuller footpath project received about $1,000,000 in federal funding that closes a previously identified $1,000,000 gap; plans are completed and contingent on federal approvals to go to bid in the spring and begin construction in summer. On the Veterans Memorial Park, staff displayed a recent design that drew largely positive comments at an open house; the total cost including roadway realignment was estimated at just over $4,000,000, with $600,000 in current state funding and a council-passed donation ordinance in place to help fund the project.

Other items included converting a shell building at the sewer plant into office, washroom and training space to provide on-site staff facilities and indoor vehicle parking, and updates on master-plan development negotiations for a large “640” project (access and tax-increment financing discussions), where staff noted further negotiation and an upcoming executive session will be necessary.

Council members asked about tree removals in Cochrane, trail connections to Mill Road, and timeline risks tied to Ecology and federal approvals. Staff said for some projects (WRF solids, reservoir testing, Fuller footpath federal sign-off) expected steps and potential timelines but cautioned that Ecology approvals and federal grant processes introduce schedule risk.

Staff said they will return to council with more detailed plans and procurement timelines as approvals and bids are finalized.