Moses Lake OKs new construction standards

MOSES LAKE — Updated standards for street construction and repairs, as well as for revisions to water and sewer utilities, were adopted Tuesday by the Moses Lake City Council.

City Public Works Division director Mike Mora said the periodic update brings the city into compliance, as its last update was in 2018, with the standards established by the Washington State Department of Transportation.

The standards apply to all new construction within the city right-of-way, including new development projects and new municipal projects, and any construction done by the city’s public works department. It also covers a wide range of design, from the shape of catch basin grates to the size of storm water pipes.

Moses Lake Mayor David Curnel remarked it was the longest update he had seen in his years on the council, but most of the standards remained unchanged.

Permit costs will increase, as city officials revised the calculations used due to increased costs for materials. The cost of cutting the city curb to install a driveway, for example, will be calculated at $30 per linear foot, with a minimum charge of $300. That’s an increase from the previous charge of $20 per linear foot and a $200 minimum charge.

The new standards include the option of a fine of up to $250 per day if a contractor fails to complete a project on time.

The required size of storm water pipes was reduced to eight inches. Catch basin grates will be redesigned to make them easier to maintain. New catch basins will be round rather than rectangular, also to make them easier to maintain.

Sewer projects will include a shut-off valve on sewer services directly connected to the city’s pressurized sewer lines, called a force main.

Standards for the construction materials, such as the cement used, or the fabric used in filtration systems, were updated to reflect changes in those materials. The standards for irrigation systems were revised to meet city requirements.

However, many of the updates are relatively minor changes, such as removing outdated city logos from the specifications for tree grates, catch basin grates and manhole covers.