Construction Project Progress
On Tuesday November 12, 2024 Cambridge City Council held their monthly meeting. After reviewing and approving the minutes from their previous meeting they began with current business. The first item on the agenda was the discussion of transportation, streets, roads, water systems, and wastewater systems, during which they listened to a representative from HECO. All remaining walkthroughs have been approved, and the team has conducted a thorough review of any outstanding items.
The next item on the agenda was the Commercial Street Improvement Project, specifically addressing Change Order Number Three from Compliance Solutions and Contracting LLC. This included the request for approval of the change order and the corresponding application for payment. The item received unanimous approval from all members present.
The following agenda item pertains to the commercial street improvement project report presented by Public Works Supervisor Corey Morgan. On Wednesday, Mayor Mark Loveland and Corey Morgan, along with several members from HECO, including project foremen and general managers, conducted a walkthrough to address the issue of ponding occurring around Mike Macedos’ lot. They were unable to achieve further compaction since it was already 4 inches thick, but they anticipate it will not be a problem in the future. All the drainage is doing very well with no major issues being seen. Some concrete collars may not be perfectly round or entirely symmetrical. However, functionally, all manhole lids and water valves are positioned below the road surface, which mitigates concerns regarding snow plow operations impacting the lids and causing them to dislodge.
The next item for discussion is the First Street Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) application for funding. An inquiry regarding the overall cost of the project and the sources of funding was asked. There is a necessity for updated maps, as the current maps from 2017 are still in use. The motion for the First Street Local Road Improvement Program application for funding has been approved.
The subsequent item on the agenda was the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality’s letter of interest regarding the drinking water loan. It is necessary to obtain approval to proceed with the letters of interest and the direction regarding clean water. The HECO representative highlighted the importance of obtaining guidance on the wastewater matter, specifically regarding the recommended alternatives and the priority project that the city wishes to advance. The replacement of the sewer line and rehabilitation of manholes on Cemetery Road has been prioritized. The rehabilitation of the manholes can occur independently of the sewer line replacement, which will contribute significantly to controlling inflow and infiltration (I&I). Addressing this issue effectively will greatly assist in managing the water ingress through the manholes. A primary concern expressed by the Mayor is the significant financial resources required to address the I&I issues without placing a substantial burden on the citizens of Cambridge. Attempting to resolve all issues simultaneously would incur costs in the millions of dollars. Therefore, the strategy will focus on addressing these challenges through smaller, incremental projects over time. The top two priorities are to establish effective control over the pH levels, utilizing new monitoring systems that will integrate seamlessly with the current framework. This approach aims to address the infiltration of water, redirecting it from the river to Rush Creek. Successfully implementing these measures will assist in resolving compliance violations, allowing the city to focus on other pressing concerns. Approval has been granted by all members to proceed with submitting a letter of interest.
The final item on the agenda was the letter of interest for the environmental quality clean water loan. Clarity is needed regarding the specific requirements for the loan letter; however, this information was not available at the time due to pending guidance from DEQ. It is proposed that the letter be drafted with a contingency plan, stating that if pH levels are below the specified threshold, the city will explore the relocation of the outfall as an alternative solution. Motion was passed by all members.
The meeting was then adjourned.
