Council approves up-to-$403,500 contract for 2026 water-main design, including Yelm Avenue work

The Yelm City Council on Feb. 24 authorized Mayor DePinto to sign a professional services agreement with RH2 Engineering for design and engineering of 2026 water-main improvements, in a contract not to exceed $403,500.

Brad, a city staff member who presented the item, outlined three priority locations: a stretch on Yelm Avenue (from 4th East to Creek Street), all of Creek Street and a connection near the high school. “So all in all, this is about 6,500 linear feet,” he said.

Council members asked about expected construction cost. Brad said it was too early to estimate and that the work may be phased. “No. Not yet. It's we're too early in this to to know what that's gonna cost,” he said, adding there is a good chance the project will be phased because of its size.

Councilor Kaminski moved to authorize the mayor to sign the RH2 agreement with a not-to-exceed amount of $403,500; Councilman Johnstone seconded the motion. The council approved the motion by voice vote.

The design contract will allow the city to complete engineering and planning necessary to prepare the work for construction, including sizing upgrades from 6–8-inch pipe to 10–12-inch where needed, according to committee reports. Staff noted potential traffic delays during construction and said timing and construction-phase budgets will be developed after design is complete.

Next steps: staff will proceed with the RH2 design contract and return later with cost estimates and a construction schedule for council consideration.