A proposal to extend city water service to the Boulder cemetery met numerous questions at the April 16 city council meeting.
Under the proposal, brought to the council by Mayor Rusty Giulio, the city would spend about $35,000 for engineering and materials for about 1400 feet of six inch water line and Buster Bullock, whose land would benefit from the line extension, would provide a lift station and labor. The sewer system connections for the subdivision would be entirely on Bullock, said the mayor. Giulio said that would enable Bullock to create 24 new city lots of about a half acre each.
The new subdivision would benefit the community by allowing for residential growth, said Giulio.
The mayor said there is enough money in the cemetery budget to cover the $35,000 city cost.
Council member Drew Dawson asked questions about the proposed public/private partnership and the relative benefits to the city and Bullock. He was assured by Giulio that Bullock would turn the lift station over to the city and that all of the work would be done to the specifications set by the engineer.
Karen Wortman, who has property in the same general area, said, “I have a lot of lots over there and if you want to get water to them, I’ll let you.”
She added, “Seems like the one making money off that is going to be Buster.”
Giulio responded that the city would gain ratepayers in support of the water system.
Kathy Rux, a former council member, said the cemetery does not pay now for the water it uses from an untreated well and asked whether the cemetery would have to pay once it is hooked up to the municipal system.
“I don’t have an answer to that,” said the mayor.
Cory Kirsch asked about getting water to the subdivision, saying, “If we did nothing, who would foot the bill?”
“Buster would,” replied Giulio.
Kirsch asked how much it would cost if the city ran only a three inch line, which would be sufficient for the cemetery by not the subdivision.
Giulio said he would look into that. He also said he would ask the engineering firm where they intend to tie into the existing line and why and get figures on the cost to annex the subdivision into the city.
Council member Shane Maichel indicated some support for the idea, saying, “I think for Boulder to grow we need to do something.”
The council voted to seek a legal opinion from an outside attorney on the proposed partnership. Dawson said the city’s contract with the city attorney allows the city to contract with someone else for a large project.
