Rite Aid water-line looping project delayed amid CDBG procurement issues, board told

The Lamont Public Utility District heard an update June 23 on a CDBG-funded water-line looping project intended to serve the Rite Aid area. General Manager and District Secretary Scott Taylor told the board that the project has been delayed because potential bidders have run into issues with the required Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) documentation and the bidding process.

Taylor said staff is continuing efforts to recruit contractors willing and able to meet the CDBG bidding and documentation requirements and that the district will bring a contract award back to the board when a qualified contractor is secured. "General manager provided information regarding the status of the CDBG funded water line looping project," the meeting minutes state.

Board members asked staff questions about the timeline and compliance processes associated with the CDBG funding, according to the minutes. The board did not take action on the update; the item was informational only. Staff did not provide a completion date at the meeting and the timeline for construction remains dependent on securing a contractor that meets grant requirements.

The project is funded through a CDBG award, which carries federal procurement and documentation rules that district staff said have complicated the bid process. The district will advise the board once a contractor is secured and a formal contract award is ready for board consideration.