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City staff reports ARPA-funded Tower Road water main, SRF notice and potential 100% DCIP grant opportunity
Summary
Box Elder staff reported that the Tower Road water main was constructed with ARPA funds (no city funds), noted payoff of an SRF loan, announced a new OLDCC grant and RFPs tied to Ellsworth intersection design (positioning for a competitive, potentially 100% Defense Community Infrastructure Program grant), and updated council on several local infrastructure projects.
City grant staff provided a multi-topic update covering ARPA-funded water work, state and federal grant activity, and other infrastructure projects.
Grant administrator Rob Tim told the council the Tower Road water main project was completed using ARPA grant funds and that design and planning used OLDCC funds. "We received some ARPA grant for that... we were able to construct that entire project with ARPA funds, ARPA grant funds," Rob reported, adding the city used OLDCC funds for planning and design so no city general funds were required for construction.
Staff also noted the SRF loan referenced as C462003-01 has been paid off, and the city recently received notice of an SRF phase-2 loan for the Highway 1416 sewer upsizing project (phase 1) that will come to council for consideration soon. On roads and defense-related funding, staff said they are preparing RFPs under a new OLDCC grant and evaluating design for the Ellsworth/Liberty Boulevard and 25th/Ellsworth Road intersections to position the city for a Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) grant; staff emphasized the DCIP is competitive but may provide 100% funding with no local match if awarded.
Staff also reported progress on trail paving and a planned bridge for next year and said the city expects to procure a contract this year for solar trail lighting funded through the Recreational Trails Program. On land projects, staff is coordinating with the National Park Service on a floodway acquisition and said tentative approval has been received for a backup generator replacement at city hall (expected in next year’s budget). Staff noted a congressionally directed spending request for planning and design on 1416 Radar Hill Road is currently included on the Senate side of the federal budget.
A councilmember asked whether grant funds carry design requirements. Staff replied that the design will be part of the RFP funded by the grant and that the grantor typically provides money while allowing the city to manage design choices; safety and base (defense installation) input will be considered where relevant. At the end of the update, council members welcomed the newly introduced human-resources director, Darcy Castleberry.
Why it matters: The report outlined several grant-funded projects that reduce or shift local funding needs (Tower Road ARPA funding, SRF activity), advanced planning that could secure fully funded federal construction dollars (DCIP), and near-term procurement steps (RFPs, contracts) that will lead to construction activity in the coming months and year.
Next steps provided by staff included issuing RFPs, returning to council with SRF loan information and related contract approvals, and staffing the Nov. 19 public hearing for the Business Improvement District if it proceeds.
