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City of Missoula, Montana Item to be Referred to City Council Committee Committee: Public Safety & Health Item: Mountain Water Contracts to Install Fire Hydrants Date: 8/27/09 Prepared by: Diehl Initiated by: Diehl Action Required: Authorize the Mayor to sign two contracts with Mountain Water for the installation of fire hydrants in the Franklin-to-Fort area at locations previously identified by the fire department. Recommended Motion: “I move that the council approve and authorize the Mayor to enter into a preliminary agreements with Mountain Water Company in the amount of $23,200 and $9,975 for the installation three fire hydrants in the Franklin-to-Fort area.” Timeline: Referral to committee: 8/27/09 Committee discussion: 9/9/09 Public hearing (if necessary): NA Deadline: 9/30/09 Background and Alternatives Explored: When major portions of the Franklin-to-Fort area were annexed by the City in the mid 1990s, a serious deficiency in fire hydrants was noted. The City planned to install additional fire hydrants and bring the area into compliance with fire code requirements. More recently, the fire department, Mountain Water Company, and the Franklin-to-Fort neighborhood council developed an installation plan to add additional hydrants over a three year period. The plan was implemented in 2005 when six new fire hydrants were installed by Mountain Water. The plan stalled with the rate case involving Mountain Water. With the resulting Public Service Commission ruling to charge ratepayers / users for maintenance and fire flow costs, Mountain Water is no longer willing to absorb the costs of installing new hydrants. There currently remains the need for four additional hydrants in the East Reserve Annexation Area of the Franklin to Fort neighborhood. The fire department has $10,117 remaining in CIP funding for the hydrant installation at 7th and Johnson Streets. The hydrants at Sussex and Eaton and Strand and Eaton Streets will be funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. ---PAGE BREAK--- These contracts will provide for the installation three fire hydrants to provide necessary infrastructure in the Franklin-to-Fort area. Costs are based upon preliminary estimates provided by Mountain Water Co. Financial Implications: $9,975 (after CDBG funding) Attachments: Mountain Water Company Contracts: Fire Hydrant Contract S. 7th & Johnson Fire Hydrant Contract Eaton-Sussex and Eaton-Strand