Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Queenstown commissioners move to town‑managed, escrow‑backed plan for water tank and line upgrades
Summary
Queenstown commissioners agreed Sept. 17 to pursue a plan in which developers would deposit $4,031,700 into escrow so the town can manage construction of a water tank and associated distribution work; staff will seek funding to close a budget shortfall estimated between $821,460 and $1,789,160 depending on scope changes.
Queenstown commissioners on Sept. 17 agreed to pursue a developer‑backed escrow plan that would let the town manage construction of a water tank and related distribution upgrades while staff pursues funding to cover a remaining budget gap.
Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan presented a project budget totaling $5,820,860 and said Richmond American Homes has offered to fund $4,031,700 toward the work. Commissioners were told the developer-calculated reimbursement amount of $4,031,700 would cover much of the project but that a contractor quote for the full Wheatlands scope — including the Route 50 water line crossing, pump/tank, well and Friels Road main — was $5,310,000, which exceeds that reimbursement amount. A reduced developer-managed scope limited to the Route 50 crossing and pump/tank was estimated at $1,675,500.
Ryan said the full budget of $5,820,860 leaves a shortfall of $1,789,160 after the Richmond American contribution; removing rehab of the existing Wall Street tower would reduce the gap to $989,160, and factoring in DRRA-required water lines would further lower the shortfall to about $821,460. Commissioners discussed trimming nonessential elements of the project, bidding removed portions as separate projects and applying for additional grants to close the gap.
Under the option the commissioners favored — developers and WFLP would place the $4,031,700 reimbursement amount into an independent escrow account — the town would have direct control of construction and the assurance that funds to complete the work are available. Developers asked that water and sewer allocations be made available for the planned 198 lots; staff noted those allocations and any required Preliminary Warranty Assignment (PWA) documentation could be used to support a USDA funding application.
Commissioners said they will ask Rauch consultant James Cook to review potential scope reductions (examples discussed included looping lines at QT Harbor) and to meet with the contractor to explore modest cost savings. The commissioners agreed to pursue the escrow/ town-managed option while staff and the engineer refine numbers and pursue USDA and other funding options.
Commissioner Tom Willis moved to adjourn the work session at 4:32 p.m.; Commissioner Bryon Callahano seconded. The motion passed 3–0. The work session concluded with no formal vote recorded on award or contract terms for the water project; commissioners directed staff to continue refining scope and financing options.
What happens next: staff and the project engineer will return with updated cost estimates and recommended scope adjustments; officials indicated they will prepare the documentation needed to support a USDA funding request and consider bidding trimmed components separately or seeking grants for them.
