Rathdrum council approves Avista utility extensions, easement for new City Hall

The Rathdrum City Council on Monday authorized Mayor Beal to execute service-extension agreements with Avista to bring both natural gas and electrical service to the new City Hall campus and approved a right-of-way easement where Avista’s service line falls outside existing municipal easements.

City staff told the council that part of the infrastructure has already been installed and that Avista may request easements for the portion of the service line that leaves Municipal Way and runs up to the new building. After a brief review of installation responsibilities and costs, the council voted to authorize execution of the agreements and to grant the requested easement.

Council discussion addressed the customer cost for the work on the site: staff presented combined customer costs for both utilities of about $27,000, with the gas installation shown separately at $14,197 for the installation in the packet materials. Staff said the agreements are standard service-extension documents and that Avista would be responsible to maintain and operate lines within granted easements.

The council approved the motions by roll call. The approvals allow Avista to install and, if necessary, maintain the service lines to City Hall where lines are not already covered by existing utility easements. The easement grants provide the utility access to maintain lines between Municipal Way and the City Hall site.

Next steps: staff will finalize the executed agreements with Avista and return any final documentation to the council as needed.