Council held a public hearing and gave preliminary approval to proceed with the creation of the Willow Springs neighborhood water main improvement district, a plan to replace private, failing water lines serving townhouses and condominiums near 67th Street.

Staff presented a 'worst case' construction estimate provided by Garver Engineering and included project management, easements and a 30% contingency. Using that estimate, staff said a baseline project of about $1.3 million with contingency could equate to payments of roughly $1,700 per year over 15 years or about $1,100 per year over 30 years for the roughly 65 property owners affected. Staff said an interest rate calculation was based on an OWRB FAP loan scenario with a 3.5% fixed rate.

Council members pressed on loan term and interest concerns and the equity of lengthy payback periods for residents on fixed incomes. Staff emphasized the numbers are preliminary and that council will see the exact bid and financing terms during a future public hearing before final repayment terms are set. Mayor and council members discussed the 100‑year useful life of installed PVC pipe and the 50–75 year life of hydrants and valves.

The council approved moving forward with the process (vote 6‑1), with staff to secure funding, produce designs, go to bid and return with exact construction and repayment figures for a final public hearing and vote.

Why it matters: the action provides a path to replace failing private water infrastructure while asking affected property owners to carry long-term repayment obligations; exact costs and the final loan structure remain to be decided.

What's next: staff will pursue funding (including possible OWRB FAP loans), complete design and bid documents, then return with the final construction cost and multiple repayment-term scenarios for council approval.