Grant PUD curbs spending on Fairway Drive

EPHRATA — After Grant County denied Grant County PUD an easement, PUD commissioners responded this week by restricting spending for curbs, catch basins and dry wells near a housing development on Fairway Drive near Moses Lake.

The issue stems from concerns some Fairway Drive residents have about a ditch being dug along their property.

Mitigation requirements for the development involve rebuilding the road.

Residents said they were worried about pedestrian safety and impacts to their driveways and yards.

The PUD wants to avoid moving utilities near the development and thought it would be cheaper to help pay for the road changes.

Grant County Commissioner Richard Stevens said the county didn’t know the ramifications of dealing with a contractor on site until they showed the PUD’s letter to its attorney.

“With public money, you have to take it out to bid,” Stevens said..

He said an attorney helping the residents’ group is supposed to be calling Grant County’s attorney. They think they may have a solution, Stevens said.

A Dec. 1 letter written by to the PUD by Derek Pohle, Grant County’s public works director and county road engineer, explains the county’s reasoning.

“Grant County can not agree to the PUD’s stated contingencies. A potential design change for the road section will still have impacts on the utilities within Grant County’s road right-of-way, they will just be difficult and hopefully less. The county will not augment the existing franchise language by issuing an easement, as it is not appropriate to do so. Again, Grant County is not the party seeking your participation in this project, therefore, negotiation of terms is not appropriate.”

Pohle also wrote “that any influx of public money into this project will very likely involve public contracting of the remaining work.”

“If the homeowners’ group is successful in arranging for an approved design and construction change, we look forward as always in working with the PUD through these changes,” Pohle stated.

On Wednesday, he said the project can be done, but there’s just a number of hurdles to get over.

The alternative design for the road still needs to be worked up and approved by Grant County, Pohle said.

The PUD’s new motion approved Monday comes one month after commissioners passed a motion authorizing up to $130,000 for the curb work in November.

But spending the money listed in the November motion depended on if Grant County allowed the PUD a permanent easement, according to the motion.

In the PUD’s most recent motion approved Monday, commissioners decided money can only be used for one-half the increased cost for road work, or $130,000, whichever is less, according to the PUD.

The spending also depends on the PUD attorney’s approval and if related parties help pay for the work.

On Monday, Fairway Drive resident Jeff Foster briefed PUD commissioners about the matter and said he was concerned Grant County didn’t understand the easement request.

Commissioner Tom Flint said they haven’t formally talked about the next step if the PUD couldn’t obtain an easement.

Flint said he thought the commissioner was receptive to finding a solution.

Foster said he’s spoken to Qwest, Northland Cable, the PUD and the housing development’s design engineer.

He said he believes there’s a value to the PUD in cost savings.

Foster said he has a letter for the project’s design engineer stating they need $7,200 to proceed.

PUD Customer Service Director Tony Webb said it’s the contractor’s decision if they want curbs or a ditch.

Webb said Foster’s group has to come up with $7,200 to get the engineer’s stamp on the work and then pay $180,000.

Foster added Pohle needs to buy into the plans for stormwater runoff.

Commissioner Greg Hansen asked if the county has told residents they’re going ahead with the ditch.

Foster said no.

General Manager Tim Culbertson said if a ditch is going to be put in, it will cost between $130,000 to $150,000.

An option is to contribute $130,000 to avoid moving utilities without an easement, he explained.

Commissioner Randy Allred said he’s hesitant to keep approving money.

Commissioner Bob Bernd said the PUD would be better off to participate with residents in the project.

He added he didn’t see a negative to doing so without the easement.