City holds required CDBG hearing for $215,795 500 West sewer rehabilitation project

The Washington Terrace City Council opened the required Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) public hearing on Tuesday to accept comments about a sewer rehabilitation project on 500 West and closed the hearing after no members of the public spoke.

The chair read the project summary and award details, saying the 500 West trenchless sewer rehabilitation project received $215,795 from the CDBG program toward a total estimated project cost of $350,886. "The 500 Project was awarded $215,795 of the total project cost of $350,886," the chair said as the council described the scope.

City staff said the work will use trenchless rehabilitation techniques to address 1,735 linear feet of a 12-inch concrete sewer main located on 500 West between 4800 South and 4400 South, a method intended to limit surface disruption. Grants manager Amy Rodriguez and Project Manager Jake Mibus were seated at the dais; Mibus answered council clarifying questions about whether trenchless means minimal street excavation and confirmed that residents would see fewer surface disruptions than with open-cut work.

No public commenters spoke during the hearing. The council closed the public comment portion and noted that the city's capital investment plan is available to residents who request a copy.

The hearing satisfied the statutory/categorical public-notice requirement tied to the CDBG application and award process; staff confirmed the application succeeded in the regional rating and ranking process. Council did not take additional action at the hearing beyond receiving public input and acknowledging the award.

Staff will proceed with grant administration and final project scheduling, and residents along the 500 West corridor will be notified once contractor schedules and construction windows are firmed up.