Milo approves $181,432.47 trail payment and flags $170,000 local funding shortfall

The Milo City Council on July 1 approved two payments tied to the city trail project and heard a briefing that the city will need roughly $170,000 in local funding to finish construction.

Council member Griggs moved and Council member Mason seconded a $12,775.59 payment to McClure Engineering for engineering services and wage-compliance monitoring; the motion passed. Griggs later moved and Wadle seconded a $181,432.47 payment (payment 3) to Elder Corporation; that motion also passed. The Clerk reported the city has submitted a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) reimbursement request for $96,969.39 and that, after the evening's payment, the project will have reached the grant's reimbursable threshold of $230,000. The Clerk said the remainder of the trail costs—about $170,000—will be paid from local option sales tax.

Council members discussed near-term construction actions. The council was told backfilling and grooming of the trail area has begun to prepare for seeding. Operations Director Doug Hembry said the north connecting sidewalk ditch culvert will be completed after the Fourth of July event, and Mayor Hall will provide the location for a planned hydrant and water fountain before that work begins.

The meeting also recorded a timeline for a related development: the monopole cellular tower approved previously by the Board of Adjustments and City Council is expected to be completed by Dec. 1, 2024. Mayor Hall thanked Councilman Eric Rasmussen for donating a television/monitor to City Hall; Council member Griggs offered to install it.

The council did not alter the TAP reimbursement schedule; next steps are submission of additional reimbursements as work qualifies and allocating approximately $170,000 in local option sales tax to close the funding gap.