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Morgantown to use $700,000 OCRA grant for water improvements; council authorizes engineering and grant-administration contracts
Summary
The council heard details of a $700,000 OCRA grant for a water improvement project, authorized Curry engineering services (non‑construction $309,086.64; construction observation $103,028.88) pending attorney review, and approved a $66,000 grant-administration contract with Kleinpeter Consulting (one abstention).
Morgantown, Oct. 14, 2024 — Town officials outlined plans for a water improvement project funded in part by a $700,000 grant from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) and approved contracts to advance design and grant administration.
Jill Curry of Curry & Associates told the council the town has received a $700,000 OCRA grant for the water project. Curry presented estimated non‑construction engineering costs of $309,086.64 and construction observation costs of $103,028.88. Council discussed a Curry contract (Curry noted a merger with Fleis VandenBrink) and directed Town Attorney Lee Robbins to review the agreement; Council President Joe Blevins was authorized to sign the contract after attorney review.
The project timeline noted in the meeting includes a State Revolving Fund (SRF) close on March 6, 2025, a bid opening on Feb. 28, 2025, and a projected release of funds on April 30, 2025. The attorney was asked to locate bond counsel and a rate consultant to determine any necessary future water-rate increases, which town staff indicated might begin in February or March 2025.
Separately, Council approved a contract with Kleinpeter Consulting (Mike Kleinpeter) for grant-administration services at a total of $66,000. The contract breakdown in the minutes lists $5,000 for labor standards, $5,000 for environmental review and $56,000 for grant administration. Penny Anderson moved to approve the Kleinpeter contract; David Johnson seconded. The minutes record that Joe Blevins, Jeremy Baker, Penny Anderson and David Johnson approved the contract and Courtney Allen abstained.
Council members said Curry would provide a formal engineering contract for consideration, and staff were directed to pursue related procurement and financing steps in line with the stated schedule.
