At 6:00 p.m. on May 4, the Salida City Council will conduct their regular meeting where they will discuss the second reading of Ordinance 2021-07, including a public hearing on a major infrastructure improvement. The City has planned and budgeted for improvements at the Pasqualle Water Treatment Plant Site as well as the Gallery Water Treatment Plant transmission main piping, titled the “Low Zone Water Line Replacement Project”.
This ordinance was first read on April 20, 2021 and would approve loans from the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority (CWRPA). At the first reading, the Bond Counsel for the City responded to questions from Merrell Bergin, Salida City Treasurer clarifying the (fixed) maximum interest rate and maximum term of the loan, starting from the date of an actual bond issue.
These improvements are proposed to be funded through a low-interest Direct Loan (1.5 percent) on the amount of $4,184,000 provided through the (CWRPA). This funding mechanism has been utilized for other large water projects within the City. The City was also the recipient of principal forgiveness for a loan for the Design and Engineering (D&E) component of the project in the amount of $241,450.
Touber Building Sign where Salida City Council meetings are held (Photo by Taylor Sumners)
The approval of the Direct Loan and D&E Principal Forgiveness Loan through Ordinance 2021-07 would allow for the execution of the construction contracts and completion of the work activities.
New business and action items include Resolution 2021-13 which would authorize a grant application and fiscal match for the CDOT Mainstreet Grant for Colorado Highway 291.
The City of Salida adopted the U.S. Hwy 50 and CO 291 Intersection Control Evaluation on March 16, 2021. This study included streetscape planning for CO 291 (Oak Street) from B Street to U.S. Hwy 50. The proposed alternative street section for these improvements included bike lanes, curb, and gutter on one side, sidewalk, parkway improvements such as landscaping, stormwater improvements, and lighting upgrades.
CDOT has recently announced State Bill 110 which has funding available for Main Street improvement projects. Opportunity One has funding up to $150,000 for smaller projects while Opportunity Two has funding for larger Main Street Improvements up to Two million dollars. The Oak Street improvements would fall under Opportunity Two. The grant identifies a preferred match of 20 percent.
Additional site plan engineering and preliminary cost estimating are underway. Stormwater and other improvements necessary for street reconstruction will need to be identified with cost estimating later in the design process.
Staff recommends that Council approve Resolution 2021-13 and commit to the fiscal match up to $400,000 for CO 291 (Oak Street) improvements and authorizing staff to pursue the CDOT Mainstreet Grant on behalf of the City.
Council will also discuss the extension of the COVID-19 Declaration of State of Emergency. After conferring with Chaffee County Public Health, on Friday, March 13, 2020, such an emergency declaration was approved by Mayor Wood to approve the City of Salida COVID-19 Action Plan.
City Council ratified the emergency declaration on March 17, extending it until April 25, 2020. Thirteen extensions have been granted for the Declaration, with the most recent one ending on May 5, 2021. Currently, the City is at Tier II in the Action Plan, with Chaffee County identified in the Blue Level of the State’s COVID-19 Dial.
To preregister for the meeting click here or to watch live via YouTube, click here.
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