lceditor posted on September 18, 2008 16:30
By David Peck
Even as work is continuing on the current Southeast phase of the Lovell Water and Sewer Infrastructure Project, the Town of Lovell and HKM Engineering are working to prepare for the Southwest/Transmission Line phase of the project, which will begin next year.
During the regular September meeting of the council last Tuesday, Sept. 9, Steve Gerber of HKM Engineering came before the council to discuss an amended agreement between the town and engineering firm for the Southwest/Transmission Line phase, which is set to begin next year.
Gerber said HKM was originally looking at a new engineering agreement for the next phase but realized that it would be more efficient to amend the current agreement.
During discussion, Councilwoman Jodi Lindsay asked why the engineering fee had jumped by some $1 million from the original estimate to the current proposed agreement. Gerber replied both generally and specifically, noting first that “HKM is not Wal-Mart. We provide a high quality product at a fair price.”
“We work in every county in Wyoming and have no problems getting work because our rates are too high,” he said. “Our fee structure is competitive in Wyoming.” He added that various funding agencies have had no problems with HKM’s fees.
“We work with many, many municipalities who say they’re getting a good product for the services provided,” he noted, “also private firms and developers.”
Specific to the Southwest phase, he said the project “is different from the original project” with 23 more blocks of work that originally proposed. He also said construction costs have skyrocketed from materials to manpower.
Mayor Bruce Morrison agreed, noting that the original estimate for the total water and sewer project was $24 million. It has grown to $31 million, he said, and the State Loan and Investment Board has estimated that the project cost will eventually grow to $40 million by the time it is completed.
“I’ve never questioned your ability to do the job,” Lindsay said. “It’s all financial. I want to make sure we’re responsible with the town’s money.”
After further discussion, Councilman Bruce Wolsey made a motion to approve the amended agreement with HKM contingent upon approval from the USDA Rural Utilities Service and giving the mayor and deputy clerk (Valerie Beal) the authority to sign the agreement once RUS concurs. The motion passed 4-0 with Councilman Scott Allred absent, having had to respond to a search and rescue call.
As for the current Southeast phase of the project, Engineer Frank Page reported that as of Sept. 9 the project was 46 percent complete with sewer line work expected to wrap up last week and water line work this week. Concrete work will begin soon, with asphalt paving beginning around Oct. 15.
The council voted to approve eight minor change orders totaling $8,667.18.
Special improvement district
Town Administrator Bart Grant reported that he has been working with citizens interested in forming a special improvement district to install curb and gutter along Seventh Street in the southwest part of town. He said he and Page are working on a legal description for a formal petition, as well as cost estimates for landowners who would be affected.
Lovell Inc. Director Sue Taylor presented her monthly report to the council. Highlights include a planned full-page ad advocating the advantages of living and doing business in Lovell in the next Wyoming Business Council magazine, plans to update the 1994 Lovell promotional video, this Saturday’s Home-Based Business Expo, continuing work on a new restaurant, a business improvement series for local businesses, the continuing farmer’s market, a recent resident survey, a planned housing inventory and assessment and business counseling services provided by Lovell Inc.
Open burning
The council set Oct. 11-26 as the fall open burning period in town, contingent upon approval by the Wyoming Dept. of Environmental Quality. A motion to set the open burning period passed 3-1 with Lindsay opposed.
In other action on Sept. 9:
• Mayor Morrison appointed Councilwoman Lindsay to the Community Advisory Board of the Big Horn County Health Coalition to represent the Town of Lovell.
• Martha Checketts came before the council to thank the town for its support of her son Hyrum’s Eagle Scout project to install a sand volleyball court at Constitution Park. She said Hyrum has raised about $1,200 toward a goal of $3,000.
“It’s been a great experience for Hyrum going door to door,” she said. “People in town have been very kind and generous.”
• The council passed on second reading Ordinance 885, which establishes a $100 deposit for town utility services and in the case of a delinquent account, there will be a $10 charge to turn service off and a $10 fee to turn service back on, plus an additional $50 deposit.