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Council authorizes $68,000 in immediate valve work, hears Snider & Associates update on water project
Summary
Snider & Associates told city officials the phase-one water project replaced 16 valves and seven hydrants, left about $180,000 in the budget, and recommended replacing seven additional valves now (estimated $68,000) while planning a lower-cost second phase; council authorized the $68,000 and asked staff to plan remaining work.
Carter Lake’s council authorized $68,000 in immediate work to replace seven valves and directed staff to develop a plan for additional valve replacements and system improvements after a comprehensive Snider & Associates update.
Elizabeth Hunter of Snider & Associates reviewed the completed phase-one work: the original bid called for 26 valve replacements and eight hydrants; crews completed 16 valve replacements and replaced seven hydrants, with one hydrant not needing replacement and one extra hydrant installed using a city-owned part. The consultant said crews found several locations where only smaller repairs were required, saving money compared with full valve replacements.
Hunter said the project was awarded at $491,900, the contractor’s approach and coordination with the city reduced shutdowns, and about $180,000 remains in the contract budget after invoices. Council discussion centered on whether to use insert-type valves (hot-tap installation with fewer shutdowns) versus standard valves. The consultant and staff estimated insert valves could cost $10,000–$15,000 each, while a traditional valve replacement approach would lower unit cost and may make the remainder of the work fit the remaining budget.
After questions about potential shutdowns, GIS updates and documentation, the council voted to authorize the consultant’s immediate proposal to proceed with the seven valves at approximately $68,000 and to instruct staff and the consultant to prepare scheduling and cost estimates for additional valves and quadrant-isolation work. Councilmembers noted that the GIS will be updated with field photos and valve-location corrections identified during the work.
The record shows the vote in favor was unanimous in the roll call recorded at the meeting. Staff will return with a plan and cost estimates for the second-phase work and any recommended valve types for locations that may require minimal shutdowns.
