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Grafton council approves water-system financing and awards south water tower rehab bid
Summary
The City Council approved a state cost-share agreement and a Clean Drinking Water Act loan application to finance Water System Replacement 2026 – Phase I and awarded a $466,400 bid to Viking Painting for the south water tower rehabilitation, with Prairie Dog funds and Water Department reserves covering the cost.
The Grafton City Council on July 14 approved financing steps for the city’s water projects and awarded a contract to rehabilitate the south water tower.
On recommendation of the Public Utilities Committee, the council approved a cost-share reimbursement agreement with the North Dakota State Water Commission that covers 60 percent ($225,000) of the $375,000 estimated cost for design and bidding of Water System Replacement 2026 – Phase I. The council also adopted Resolution No. 1810 authorizing an application to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality for a loan under the Clean Drinking Water Act to finance the city’s local share of the project. Both actions passed on unanimous roll-call votes.
Separately, the council approved the Notice of Award for the south water tower rehabilitation project to Viking Painting for a bid of $466,400. KLJ Engineering recommended a modified scope that reduces abrasive blasting: the exterior will be pressure washed with power brushing where needed, the skirt and portions of the pedestal will be sandblasted or power brushed as required, and the interior will be pressure washed then assessed; the riser’s first 10 to 15 feet will be power brushed where wear was noted. Two “G” logos are included at $5,500 each; the council directed KLJ to ask about adding the word “Grafton” via a change order, estimated at $7,500.
Funding for the tower work will come primarily from Prairie Dog funds ($450,000) with the balance from Water Department reserves. The council also approved a construction engineering agreement with KLJ for the tower project at an estimated $30,000, contingent on approval by the City Attorney.
Mayor Chris West and members present voted unanimously in favor of the water financing measures and the tower award. KLJ’s Jeff Daley told the council that, if approved today, exterior work would be completed by September 2025 and interior work by July 2026. Daley was directed to obtain exact pricing for the potential signage change order and return that figure to staff.
The council’s approvals set the financing and procurement steps in motion; staff will file the loan application with state regulators and execute the construction contract following required clearances and the City Attorney’s review.
