Monroe to deploy $1M congressional grant for initial lead-line work, including hydrovac purchase

Utilities staff told the board Monroe received final approvals for a congressional directed spending grant of roughly $1 million that can fund both public- and private-side replacements and capital tools to identify lines.

Jesse said the grant includes funds to buy a trailer-mounted hydrovac so crews can inspect service lines in the terrace and narrow the inventory's unknown category. "The hydrovac is paid for as the congressional directed spending, the grant we already have, and that is to help identify those lead service lines," he said. Staff said the grant has a limited spending window and that the procurement and bidding process for projects and the hydrovac purchase have begun.

Staff recommended using the grant to replace priority lines associated with street reconstruction projects, and to use the hydrovac and door-to-door inspections to reduce uncertainty in the overall replacement estimate. The board asked for further detail for the City Council packet so elected members can weigh using the grant to cover both public and private-side work versus reserving funds for public-only replacements.