By JEFF ECKHOFF
DES MOINES, Iowa, Sept. 2, 2000 (Des Moines Register) — Des Moines would pay a maximum of $12.7 million to relocate sewers for the reconstruction of Interstate Highway 235 but would face another $15.5 million in related costs under an agreement approved Aug. 31.
City Council members approved the contract with state transportation officials on a 4-2 vote at a special council meeting.
The pact ends a three-month tiff over who should pay to move sewer lines. It caps Des Moines' commitment at $12.7 million. However, the city would still face at least $7.2 million worth of required repairs to three storm sewers in the areas of 31st Street, Keo Way and Dean Lake --projects that also would include some state money.
According to city documents, the Iowa Department of Transportation has agreed to loan Des Moines up to $19.9 million, interest-free, to pay for both sewer relocation and necessary improvements to the three storm sewers. If the city decides to delay those projects, transportation officials would use DOT money from the storm sewers to cover the city's share of relocation costs.
Under the agreement, any loan would have to be paid back between 2008 and 2010. City officials say they have yet to decide how to finance everything, but such a loan would give them time to obtain new federal money.
On top of any state loan, city officials estimate they'll have to spend $3.7 million in already-budgeted money to strengthen sewers that cross I-235.
Also, $4.6 million would go to widen the three storm sewers near 31st Street, Keo Way and Dean Lake beyond what the state requires. That work wouldn't be directly affected by nearby Interstate 235, officials said, but would help ease flooding in some neighborhoods.
Councilmen Tom Vlassis and Archie Brooks voted against the contract Aug. 31. Vlassis said the vote should have been delayed until a regular council meeting. Brooks accused council members of poor planning.
"You can tell me we might get future federal dollars," Brooks said. "But if we don't, then we're shorting future councils."
Reporter Jeff Eckhoff can be reached at (515) 284-8271 or [email protected]
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