Council sets forum on water rates

Libby City Council members on Monday approved a $2.6 million Engineering Services Agreement with Morrison Maierle, Inc., the Kalispell engineering firm that is assisting the city with work to be performed on the new Flower Creek Reservoir Dam.

Ryan Jones, an engineer with Morrison Maierle, Inc., who attended the meeting, said the fee is for the duration of the dam construction which will begin this summer and continue well into 2013.

“It’s for geo-technical work — core samplings and work that will be done throughout, until the dam is completed,” Jones said.

Asked how much core sampling would be necessary, Jones said the level had yet to be determined.

“We really don’t know yet, and we won’t until we start drilling. It has to do with the bedrock,” Jones said. “It’s likely that the cost will be less. It’s unlikely it will be more.” 

In the meantime, City Council members have scheduled a public forum for 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 2, in the City Council Chambers for the purpose of discussing water rates. City Council members are hoping to get input from the public concerning water-system infrastructure improvements and their effect on water rates.

Water customers unable to attend the meeting but would like to have input considered by the City Council may submit their concerns to City Clerk Glena Hook by 5 p.m. April 2.

Also, the Council has scheduled a special meeting 6 p.m. Monday to further discuss the estimated $12.3 million in dam and water-distribution system improvements.

City Council President Bill Bischoff sought to have the Special Meeting immediately precede the Public Forum, but Mayor Doug Roll opted to have the meeting a week before the forum.

“I think it’s better if we have it the week before,” Roll said, indicating it would give ample time for Council members to fully discuss options.

In other action, the Council agreed to open the dam road project to bidding. Representatives from Noble Excavating and Rich Thompson Contracting have indicated those groups could do the road for about the $50,000 figure city and country crews originally agreed they could do the work. 

However, those crews have indicated to do that work would take them away from their other road and street duties to the public.

“The contract will be written with specs to see the job is done right and within cost,” Roll said.

Councilman Allen Olsen questioned whether the job still will come in within budget.