Water tank projects move ahead

Of the two water tank project currently underway for the City of Sundance, both have made significant strides forward. The final steps are now being taken for construction to begin on the Sundance West tank, while the design process has begun on the Sundance Kid tank south of the interstate.

The Sundance City Council approved a bid from Timberline Services for $593,000 to complete the Sundance West tank project a couple of weeks ago. The project will replace the 40,000 gallon Brewer and Canyon tanks in the canyon area, which are old and require almost continual repairs, with a single, 100,000 gallon tank.

The city is waiting for the necessary bonding information from Timberline Services and can then issue a notice to proceed and get started on the construction phase, said Karla Greaser of Trihydro at the council meeting on Tuesday. Public Works Director Mac Erickson added that some of the finishing work will likely take place in the spring, depending on the fall weather.

Greaser asked the council whether a special meeting would be needed to approve the notice to proceed. City Attorney Mark Hughes confirmed that the council could pass a motion to approve it at last Tuesday’s motion, contingent on the bonding information being received and Timberline Services meeting all the criteria of the contract.

A motion was passed to give Mayor Paul Brooks permission to sign the contract and motion to proceed once the proper documents have been received.

The second water tank project was initiated later and aims to replace the Sundance Kid and underground tanks and upgrade the water lines that travel under the interstate. This project is the final piece of high-priority work recommended on the city’s master plan and will be paid for by Abandoned Mine Lands funding.

Greaser reported on Tuesday that the necessary information has been staked out to begin the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. Meanwhile, a “design memo” is being created.

This is not an official design, she explained, but rather a broad description of the project that can be used to review the project before the actual plans and specifications are decided on. This ensures everyone is on the same page from the start, Greaser said.

Greaser reported that Trihydro anticipates the project will go to bid early next year so construction can also begin in 2021.