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Granite Falls seeks federal grant to shore eroding lime ponds near bridge
Summary
City staff told the council the lime ponds’ riverbank is eroding and recommended pursuing a first-come, first-served EDA disaster-relief grant that could cover up to 80% of an estimated $500,000 rip-rap project; council authorized staff to prepare engineering work and the grant application.
City staff asked the Granite Falls City Council to authorize preliminary engineering and to apply for a federal Economic Development Administration disaster-relief grant to stabilize eroding banks at the city’s lime ponds, a stretch of riverbank immediately adjacent to a nearby bridge.
The staff presentation said the project — colloquially described in the meeting as a rip-rap or “rip wrap” stabilization — is currently estimated at roughly $500,000. The EDA program staff described to the city would cover up to 80% of eligible costs, leaving the city with approximately a 20% match. Staff recommended the water fund as the likely source for the local match and noted the city has not yet issued a bond that could also be used to finance the match if needed.
“These funds are first come, first serve,” a staff member said during the presentation, urging the council to authorize a preliminary engineering report so the city could apply quickly and not lose the opportunity. Staff also warned that FEMA funding previously used for similar rip-rap work is not available for this site and that other state programs would likely provide smaller matches.
Councilmembers discussed financing options, including carrying the match in the water fund, issuing a bond, or making an interfund loan from the electric fund. One councilmember urged caution about tapping electrical reserves due to pending substation work and aging infrastructure in that fund. Councilmembers also raised the need to coordinate with county and state owners of the nearby bridge, since improvements to the bank would affect the bridge and its shared ownership.
After discussion, the council voted to authorize staff to proceed with a preliminary engineering report, to arrange a call with the EDA office to confirm eligibility, and to authorize the city to contract with the regional development council (RDC) to prepare the grant application and related documents, subject to sharing contracts with council as they are drafted.
Next steps: staff will prepare engineering documents, contact the EDA for confirmation of eligibility and timing, and return to council with contract documents and any required funding commitments.
