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H3. Resolution 6239, for LSL Replacement FundingCITY OF KALISPELL MEMORANDUM To: Doug Russell, City Manager From: Keith Haskins, P.E., Deputy Director Public Works Re: Resolution 6239 Recommendation Meeting Date: 1/21/2025 BACKGROUND: During several Council Work Sessions, most recently on January 13, 2025, Public Works staff provided an overview of the Environmental Protection Agency approved Lead and Copper Rule Improvement (LCRI), which took effect in October 2024. The LCRI establishes specific requirements for replacing non -compliant service lines, including lead lines and galvanized lines requiring replacement. It also outlines additional requirements related to public notification, inventory validation, sampling, and protocols for addressing action level exceedances. The City has an opportunity to leverage funding from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) program to help offset the costs associated with replacing non -compliant service lines. This program offers loan forgiveness of up to 60%, depending on the water system's eligibility and specific conditions requiring replacements from the main to the building. According to current City Rules and Regulations, service line maintenance is the responsibility of the property owner. However, the City may replace old service lines from the water main to consumer property boundaries when such lines are discovered to be leaking or as part of scheduled capital improvement projects. Since full replacement from the water main to the building exceeds the City's obligations, adopting a one-time resolution would be necessary to authorize the City's involvement to complete non -compliant service line replacements and fully capitalize on the funding opportunity. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Council approve Resolution 6239, authorizing utilization of the SRF funding for replacement of non -compliant service lines from the main to the building, as identified in the LCRI. REQUESTED ACTION: Motion and vote to approve Resolution 6239, a resolution allowing the City to fund and oversee a construction project in order to eliminate all identified non- compliant lead and galvanized required replacement water service lines in the City of Kalispell water service line inventory as a one-time exception from City regulations in order to be eligible for State of Montana State Revolving Fund Loan Forgiveness. ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by Council. ATTACHMENTS: Resolution No. 6239. 201 Pt Avenue E IPhone (406)758-7720 Po Box 1997 Public Works Department Fax (406)758-7831 Kalispell, MT 59903 1 1 www.kalispell.com RESOLUTION NO. 6239 A RESOLUTION ALLOWING THE CITY TO FUND AND OVERSEE A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN ORDER TO ELIMINATE ALL IDENTIFIED NON- COMPLIANT LEAD AND GALVANIZED REQUIRED REPLACEMENT WATER SERVICE LINES IN THE CITY OF KALISPELL WATER SERVICE LINE INVENTORY AS A ONE-TIME EXCEPTION FROM CITY REGULATIONS IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR STATE OF MONTANA STATE REVOLVING FUND (SRF) LOAN FORGIVENESS. WHEREAS, as a Community Public Water Supply, Kalispell is required to comply with all drinking water regulations specified in the Lead and Copper Rule Improvement (LCRI), as approved by the EPA in October 2024; and WHEREAS, the LCRI aims to eliminate all non -compliant service lines, defined as lead line and galvanized required replacement lines requiring replacement; and WHEREAS, the City's existing policy is to require consumers to maintain their own service lines, however, the City may replace lead lines from the water main to consumer property boundaries when such lines are discovered to be leaking or as part of scheduled capital improvement projects; and WHEREAS, in order to accept funding, the City must make an exception to replace these lines with consumer consent and legal access; and WHEREAS, the LCRI establishes specific requirements for the timing and responsibility of these replacements and includes ongoing public notification obligations until each non -compliant line is fully replaced; and WHEREAS, the State of Montana may receive funding dedicated to lead service line projects, which eligible projects would include developing a service line inventory, planning for replacements or mitigations, and performing replacement activities; and WHEREAS, for projects to qualify for funding under this appropriation, they must meet Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) eligibility, be directly related to Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR), and cover activities such as identification, planning, design, and full replacement of lead service lines; and WHEREAS, SRF loan forgiveness is available based on both water system and project eligibility, allowing eligible projects and systems to have up to 60% of the loan forgiven and DEQ policy requires water systems to repay 40% of the loan costs for the project; and WHEREAS, for the City to qualify for loan forgiveness, the City Water Fund must assume responsibility for the loan's repayment portion associated with replacing the identified lead and galvanized required replacement service lines from the main to the structure's interior plumbing. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KALISPELL, AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. That the City shall fund and oversee a construction project to replace lead and galvanized required replacement service lines as identified in the required Water Service Inventory. SECTION 2. The City shall proceed with replacement of non -compliant service lines on private property only with the property owner's consent, secured through a temporary construction easement. SECTION 3. That funds necessary to replace the identified lead and galvanized required replacement service lines be requested as an SRF loan from the State of Montana. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND SIGNED BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF KALISPELL, ON THE 21 ST DAY OF JANUARY, 2025. Mark Johnson Mayor ATTEST: Aimee Brunckhorst, CMC City Clerk