Hayden council elects new council president and approves sewer rate study, GIS update and communications contract

At its Jan. 13 meeting Hayden City Council elected Ed DuPriest as council president and approved a set of professional services and contract amendments intended to update infrastructure planning and city communications.

Council president election: Council member Matt nominated Ed DuPriest to serve as council president. DuPriest accepted the nomination and the council approved his election by roll call.

Sewer capitalization fee study: Council authorized a contract with FCS to update the city’s sewer connection (capitalization) fee and to document the basis for fees in case of future legal challenges. The contract was not to exceed $18,530; staff said the work is budgeted and ties to recent H6 gravity force-main and lift-station improvements. Council members emphasized the need for an impartial, defensible analysis to reduce litigation risk.

GIS update (JUB Engineers): Council approved a JUB Engineers amendment not to exceed $27,000 to update the city's sewer GIS data and incorporate system changes since 2019. Staff said more than 30 projects and developments have occurred since the last update and that the work will provide quantified assets (pipe lengths, manhole depths) needed for modeling and maintenance planning.

Wake Media LLC agreement: Council approved a small, not-to-exceed $5,000 agreement with Wake Media LLC for communications and IT support, including an interactive memorial map and other commission support tasks. Staff said the service is similar to previous support used by the city.

All motions were seconded and carried on roll-call votes as recorded in the meeting.