Lind Council approves water system improvements list, contract with CDSI

The Lind Town Council unanimously approved to update the system improvements list for the town, as well as signed a contract with Consolidated Disposal Services, Inc. (CDSI) to continue garbage services for the town, during the Aug. 22 regular meeting.

Stantec Engineer Alan Gay advised and recommended the Council to approve the system improvements list, or the Small Water System Plan, for the town to have better opportunities with grants for future projects in the town.

The list includes street repair, well maintenance and water line upgrade projects for the town.

The projects on the list, expected for completion in 2018, are replacing the main water line on Sixth Street, from E to S streets, installing shut-off valves on Third Street, from E to S streets, and water main improvements on Seventh Street.

The Sixth Street project is estimated to cost a total of $184,000, and a portion will be funded by the USDA Rural Development or SRF grant. The funding sources for the other two projects are yet to be determined.

Gay explained a few projects on the list had been shifted because of the Sixth Street project being partially funded through grants.

The approval of the list helps the Town of Lind become eligible to apply for funding or grants through the Department of Health.

Gay also updated the Council he is meeting with Steve Nelson from Century West to create a cooperative program for the two projects planned for Sixth Street.

The plan would include both water and storm water projects on Sixth Street, with funding being received from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Ecology (Ecology).

Ecology has been asked to turn the funding back on for the Sixth Street project, Gay explained, and the Town will have a strict timeline to follow to potentially complete the project in the spring.

Gay and Nelson are scheduled to meet in the upcoming week to create the plan, and Gay will report back to the Council at the next meeting.

Mayor Jamie Schmunk explained the FEMA money will cover 87.5 percent of the project costs, and the Town has submitted an application to receive an additional 10 percent match from the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB).

Nelson assisted the Town with the application, and TIB will vote on the projects in November.

Schmunk said the street repair will not begin until all the funding had been received. The project is estimated to cost $1 million, and if funding is received from TIB, the Town would only be responsible for 2.5 percent of the project cost.

Mark Walsh, Vice President and General Manager for CDSI, presented to the Council regarding the renewal of a contract for garbage collection service.

The current contract is set to expire on Sept. 30, and CDSI has served as their garbage contractor for the past 10 years.

Previously operating on a five-year contract with a five-year extension, Walsh recommended a 10-year contract with a 10-year extension. He said with increasing cost of equipment, this is a more stable long-term plan for the Town, as well as CDSI.

“This would give you and the Town security of its garbage service needs now and into the future and allows CDSI to amortize and replace our equipment over the years with confidence of future work and services to your Town,” Walsh stated in his proposal.

CDSI currently sends one truck to Lind for collection, and Walsh said it may change in the future where the company will send two trucks as they are looking to upgrade their equipment.

Along with weekly garbage service, CDSI also supports the Town by providing the Annual Spring Cleanup Event, and bringing in several waste containers and additional services during the Lind Combine Demolition Derby.

Walsh explained one change to the contract is CDSI is discontinuing 1.5 yard container service. The equivalent replacement would either be three 95 gallon carts, or change to a 2-yard container.

He explained this change is partially due to the increase in metal cost, and the containers are no longer cost effective. The plastic containers, with the larger capacity, are more affordable, attractive and easier to transport.

Walsh said the rates remain similar to years past, with only a slight increase in cost for 3-yard and 8-yard containers. The Town rates decreased for the 95-gallon, 2-yard and 40-yard containers.

The Council also agreed to change to a bi-annual Consumer Product Index (CPI) review for adjustments in rates, as it will be more cost effective for the Town. The Council unanimously approved a 10-year contract with a 10-year extension with CDSI.

During the meeting, the Council also discussed the opinion survey about the potential marijuana ordinance, which will be sent with water bills to residents in the upcoming month.

One form will be sent to each residence and the returned surveys will anonymously be recorded at Town Hall.

The ordinance would potentially accept or ban marijuana growers, producers and retailers from establishing their business within the town limits.