We're goin' around in circles,
We don't know where we are?
Our thinking is less than agile,
We haven't moved very far.
Our efforts so far are futile,
The lights may go out soon.
We live in a world of surreal,
The sewer backup looms.
LIGHTS OUT
Item one - Ruston Street Lighting - Mo Fesharaki
$300,000 already budgeted $402,000 in electric reserve fund - total available $702,000.
Mo will charge $60 for diagram, half of his normal rate, max $8500.
Total estimated cost under $700,000 replacing with Point Ruston type fibreglass.
No guarantee of cables if done by different inspector.
Wayne motion to move forward, seconded by Bradley.
Jim listen to Jerry Morrisette, town engineer, on project.
Jerry "You have a good deal".
Steve Taylor between 51st and 54th not entire town.
Jane do we have the money? Yes, in electric utility fund.
Jim need second reading.
passes 5-0.
SEWER DILEMMA
Item two - Jerry Morrisette - JWM & A
Mayor asks for two options to replace sanitary sewers?
Jerry - it (system) is in trouble, put in in 1919 - 1921. Life expectancy 70 years, value received need to move forward. Replace entire system,
option one, or those improvements in comprehensive plan, 3,700 lineal feet, cost design $100,000 cost $1.2 million.
option two, Ruston has 20,630 lineal feet of sewer, 7100 already replaced, 13,000 lineal feet remaining average cost replacing laterals $4.1 million dollars.
Steve Willie, project Engineer talked about various alternatives and storm water infiltration. Hard pan 15 feet down collects storm water flows along pipeline can get into pipes. Laterals on private property big question not included.
Jerry - went into financing and funds. Public Works Trust Fund low cost loan most likely paid for from sewer utility funds. Huge competition for grants.
Jim - LID available with utility tax increase.
Jerry - possibility LUD is for utilities.
Bradley - option one only does 3,700 lineal feet leaving 10,000 lineal feet remaining.
Jane motion to go with option two Bradley second.
Wayne - issue entire town will be taxed for partial project. Makes sense to do entire project.
Bradley - agrees with Wayne but we have to start somewhere. Will prioritize the remainder (10,000 lineal feet).
Dan will be more than $1.2 million because of two partials with Tacoma.
Jane agrees with Wayne we need long range plan.
Jim to build out the entire town how many years?
Jerry different stages bonding issue.
Jane How many years?
Option one - one year engineering 4-6 months, looking at 2010 construction season. Vast array of clients in need, pushed back.
Option two - two years to complete.
Jim are we meeting top priorities? Scope?
Jerry do not know. One manhole is 40 feet deep. If Tacoma does no problem. Ruston, big problem.
Mayor there are serious ramifications! The town is liable.
Council votes 5-0 to proceed. I think with engineering option one, not sure, at this time we were approaching two hours.
VERY COMPLICATED. Don't hold your breath. Will extend past November elections.
NO PUBLIC INPUT ALLOWED - Would liked to have asked additional cost of option one piecemeal approach versus doing the entire town project option two?
Attendees were told to send emails or comments and they would be asked at next session.
Study sessions were set for March 2nd (update on Point Ruston) and March 16th (potential tax/utility rate increases)
Town of Ruston officials:
Mayor, Bruce Hopkins
Council, Bradley Huson
Council, Jim Hedrick
Council, Wayne Stebner
Council, Dan Albertson
Council, Jane Hunt
Attorney, David Britton
More details on these and other items not covered here on:
http://rustonhome.blogspot.com/
-30-
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Another name-calling half-intelligble post from our favorite visitor from Tacoma. Why don't you spend your time at the council meetings in the City you live in?
You might want to mention that Stebner and Albertson are the only ones on the council talking sense. Annexation will be much better if Ruston still has money in the bank and can negotiate a decent deal than if we wait until it's all gone.
You might mention that it will soon cost more to live in Ruston than Tacoma, in terms of taxes and utility charges. I guess that explains why you chose to move to Tacoma and don't live in Ruston.
Annexation is going to happen sooner or later and there are lots of people in town that would prefer it happen soon. How do we survive if we are spending twice as much as we are taking in? We have very few people who are capable of making good decisions and people like you and Pickett have driven almost all of them away from participating in town government.
Just the facts Ma'am!
Post a Comment