Wasco hires Bell Designs as city engineer, eyes state planning grant

The Wasco City Council voted Sept. 15 to hire Bell Designs as the city’s official engineering firm. Councilor Ken DeGrange made the motion to retain Bell Designs; Councilor Robert Anglin seconded and the motion passed with Mayor Beth McCurdy and all councilors voting in favor.

Jaime Crawford, who said she joined Bell Designs on Aug. 4 and will maintain previous billing rates while keeping retired engineer Dan Meader available for guidance, told the council the firm would be a resource for upcoming projects. The council also discussed a Technical Assistance Grant from the state of Oregon due Oct. 10 for planning services; council members suggested the grant could be used for the sidewalk project, sewer-plant updates, or online mapping. Mayor Beth McCurdy offered to provide a letter if Jaime Crawford required city support for the grant application.

The hire creates a new city contracting relationship; Crawford said Bell Designs is committed to cost management and continuity of prior scopes of work. The council’s vote followed a short discussion about obtaining a scope of work from Bell Designs to compare with a prior Clark Street concept plan from Pioneer Engineering.