Council approves MOU accepting upsized 8-inch water main and waiving up to $36,435 in fees

The White Salmon City Council on Feb. 4 approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Alpine Grove Properties that accepts an upsized eight-inch public water main and waives water and sewer impact fees in an amount not to exceed $36,435.

Chris True, the City's Director of Public Works, said staff discovered during construction on SW Alpine Grove Lane that an existing 2-inch water line was located close to a sewer line and, under Washington State Department of Health requirements, the water line had to be relocated. The developer proposed installing an 8-inch main. True told the Council the City would avoid $75,982.32 in costs by not installing a replacement 2-inch line itself; excluding the developer's cost to install the 8-inch line, staff calculated a net financial benefit to the City of $39,547.32 and noted an infrastructure benefit from upgrading to an 8-inch main.

Council Member Doug Rainbolt said he viewed the MOU as a good-faith transaction but asked whether the agreement was proportionate; Director True and staff said ownership verification and minor administrative changes would return with the final documents. City Attorney Shawn MacPherson said the MOU would come back with administrative revisions to signature and notary clauses to verify signing authority, with no anticipated substantive changes.

Council moved to approve the MOU to accept the upsized 8-inch public water main and waive water and sewer impact fees up to $36,435. The motion passed 4-0 (Ben Giant, Patty Fink, Doug Rainbolt and David Lindley voting Aye).

Staff said they would verify property ownership (all three lots are owned by the same individual) and return the final MOU for administrative signatures.