Libby council approves disaster contract for Lower Flower Creek Reservoir, plans core sampling and FEMA filings
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Summary
The Libby City Council approved a disaster contract with Noble Excavating to repair the damaged Lower Flower Creek Reservoir and directed staff to pursue FEMA and state emergency funding, schedule core sampling RFQs and hold a public briefing Feb. 26.
The Libby City Council on the evening of the meeting approved a disaster contract with Noble Excavating to repair the Lower Flower Creek Reservoir damaged in recent storms, and city staff outlined next steps to seek federal and state recovery funding.
City Administrator Mister Sykes told the council that MMIA (Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority) is phasing out its workers’ compensation program and that the city must choose a replacement by March for a July 1 start. He also said the city is pursuing USDA and state emergency water funds and that "it looks like they can come in and just cough up 1,000,000 dollar grant for the emergency water funds out of that state fund." He described FEMA damage categories and said the city will issue RFQs for core sampling and hire engineers for Category D (water control facilities) repairs.
Why it matters: the reservoir repairs are tied to public-safety and water-supply continuity for areas affected by December floods. The council’s contract approval allows emergency work to proceed under FEMA’s provisions for protective measures while the city finalizes engineering and procurement steps.
Council discussion and vote: Sykes told the council the emergency work initially qualified under FEMA categories A and B, which allow certain work to begin without full contracting. He said core-sample work and longer-term repairs will require separate contracts. After a briefing, a council member moved to approve the Noble Excavating disaster contract for the Lower Flower Creek Reservoir and the council voted to approve the motion.
Direct quotes from the meeting: Mister Sykes said, "MMIA is now going to be dissolving the workman's comp portion of that," explaining an unrelated but time-sensitive insurance choice the city must make. On FEMA funding and grants he said, "it looks like they can come in and just cough up 1,000,000 dollar grant for the emergency water funds out of that state fund."
What happens next: staff will issue RFQs for core sampling and engineer design work for category D repairs, continue discussions with Montana DES and USDA about matching funds, and host a public meeting on Feb. 26 in the Ponderosa Room to brief residents and answer questions. The approved contract allows the city to proceed with essential emergency repairs while funding sources are pursued.
The council approved the contract and moved on to other agenda items without amendments.
