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La Grande directs staff to pursue cost‑effective water‑main realignment with Eastern Oregon University
Summary
The council directed staff to work with Eastern Oregon University to pursue an alternate alignment for a 12‑inch water main to avoid disruptive work under athletic fields and reduce the city's cost exposure to about $175,000.
La Grande — Councilors directed staff to pursue a cost‑effective alternative alignment for a problematic 12-inch water main that runs beneath athletic fields at Eastern Oregon University (EOU).
Staff recapped a previous work session with EOU representatives, including Dr. Ryan, and described an alternate route that eliminates replacing the east–west 12-inch main that crosses both the softball and baseball fields; staff said the alternative cuts the city’s exposure by roughly one third and brought the city’s potential contribution down to approximately $175,000, which EOU indicated it could commit to.
An EOU speaker told council that campus investments return value to the community—through contractor spending, recruitment, and events that bring visitors—and asked the city to partner to avoid future disruptions to university activities. EOU also noted concerns about future turfing of fields and the desire to avoid long-term conflicts if a main remained under a turfed outfield.
Council moved to select the staff-recommended option (option three) and to direct staff to work collaboratively with EOU to identify a cost-effective alternative alignment and proceed consistent with the staff report; the motion carried without recorded opposition.
What’s next: Staff and EOU will refine designs, finalize cost-sharing commitments and schedule the relocation work; council requested follow-up details on timeline and any long-term turfing plans that could affect future relocations.
