GH budget provides funding for aging water lines

Staff, council discuss major 2010 projects, expenditures

Nate Hulings

of the Gateway

The City of Gig Harbor held its first budget work session Monday night, outlining many of the major projects and expenditures of its proposed $49.9 million 2010 budget.

Many of the most costly projects budgeted include improvements to the city’s aging water lines, minor street repairs and the $7.6 million marine outfall.

Streets were a topic of discussion, but major overhauls will not occur next year.

City Public Works Director David Stubchaer outlined the budgeted $125,000 for chip seal improvements on 38th Street from 50th Street South to the city limits. It is merely a “preserve and maintain” project, he said.

Another $175,000 will go toward the design and construction of asphalt overlay on Uddenberg Lane between Pioneer Way and Stanich Avenue, including a sidewalk from Judson Street to the post office.

The Burnham-Borgen-state Route 16 construction cost of $4.46 million will be paid entirely with grant money.

There will be $22,500 worth of improvements to Eddon Boat Park for beach rock, sand and natural driftwood, in order to make the beach more accessible.

Water line replacements also have taken priority in the 2010 budget.

In the water operating fund, the city has budgeted $15,000 to replaced the aging water line on Harborview Drive from Soundview Drive to Pioneer Way. The cost includes using 4-year-old piping from leftover projects. However, the price does not include the in-house labor costs.

Also budgeted is a $1.4 million replacement of the Harborview Drive water line between North Harborview Drive and Rosedale Street.

City Administrator Rob Karlinsey said the project could bid out with a Stinson Avenue water line replacement, giving the city a better idea if it can afford to fix both lines in 2010.

Council member Tim Payne said the water lines must be a top priority.

“It’s in emergency mode in all facets,” he said.

Another $40,000 has been budgeted to replace older water meters across the city.

“As meters age, they start to gauge low,” Stubchaer said.

The big-ticket item is a $7.6 million estimate for the 9,000-foot marine portion of the sewer system outfall. The price tag had one council member ask if the project could be delayed.

To that, Stubchaer said that, in order to stay on course with grant funding and permits, the project had to be completed within a certain timetable.

Other proposed capital wastewater projects include a $700,000 lift station replacement and $5.8 million to complete phase one construction of the waste water treatment plant.

About $300,000 in grant funding is budgeted for the daylighting of Donkey Creek and improvements to Austin Estuary Park.

Reach Reporter Nate Hulings at 253-853-9243 or by e-mail at nate.hulings@gateline.com.